Women’s Hockey: Terriers Top Friars 3-1 on Senior Night

By Mel Mastela

The Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey Team (10-19-3, 8-13-2 HE) ended senior night with a 3-1 win against the Providence Friars (11-20-2, 8-13-2 HE).

“Proud of the group for our patience,” BU Head Coach Tara Watchorn said. “Went down a goal, but we didn’t try to force offense after that. Stayed true to what the approach was and paid off in the long run and played a lot better down the stretch.”

The game opened with back-and-forth play, both teams generating opportunities but unable to capitalize on them.

Seniors Lilli and Luisa Welcke managed to create strong chances in the offensive zone for the Terriers but couldn’t get past the Friars’ defense.

After competing in the neutral zone, junior forward Dylan Berman took the puck down the ice, passing it to sophomore forward Emma Hofbauer, who knocked it into the net to bring the score to 1-0 for Providence.

Any chance the Terriers created, the Friars responded immediately and dumped the puck back down the ice, not allowing BU to generate sustained pressure.

Providence skated into the second with aggression, dominating possession and breaking through the Terriers’ defense with ease.

Boston struggled to catch up to the Providence skaters as they blasted down the ice, generating plays and creating strong opportunities against the Terriers.

Friars goaltender Hope Walinski made save after save against the strong Terrier power play, not allowing them to tie the score.

BU goaltender Michelle Pasiechnyk made several glove saves as the BU defenders were unable to intercept against the strong Providence attackers, keeping the score 1-0.

“[Pasiechnyk] played amazing for us… kept us in it,” Watchorn said. “Providence is a skill team… they’re going to create quality looks… and she kept us in those moments.”

Lilli Welcke managed to break free in the neutral zone and rush down the ice to make a pass to freshman forward Lexie Bertelsen, who tied the score 1-1 late in the middle frame.

“[Lexie] works so hard, she’s so fast, she’s skilled,” senior forward Maeve Kelly said. “I think she does all the right things, she does all the little things, and she works so hard, so it’s great to see things pay off.”

The last frame felt gassed, with constant back-and-forth play on the ice, and main puck possession with the Friars.

Both teams struggled to find the back of the net and give their team the upper hand. During another power play, the Terriers finally took advantage.

Just seconds after their power play started, for her first goal of the season, Kelly received the puck near the boards and shot it straight into the back of the net, giving the Terriers a 2-1 lead.

“It just kind of helped the team’s confidence,” Kelly said. “A win makes everyone feel good, it makes everyone want to buy into the game plan more, cause when we do it, it works.”

Even with an extra attacker, Providence wasn’t able to get the puck past Pasiechnyk but managed to keep it in the offensive zone for the majority of the long shift.

With less than a minute left in the game, Luisa Welcke broke past the Friars and managed a goal on the empty net, widening the gap and bringing the game to an end with a 3-1 win.

After Friday’s victory, the Terriers will face off against Boston College on Saturday at Conte Forum, with puck drop set for 4 p.m. Streaming will be available on ESPN+, TSN, and NESN.