Takeaways From the BU Women’s 2019-20 Season

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Sure, the short-lived postseason run by the Boston University women’s hockey team was not ideal given their success against Maine in the regular season, but it should not overshadow the minor successes that this team had prior to their downfall.

Reflecting on what was a rather outstanding season, there are least three key points that can be considered highlights; the goaltending tandem of Corinne Schroeder and Kate Stuart, the promising performances of freshman stars Julia Nearis and Nadia Mattivi, and how well the senior class executed each and every game.

The Goaltending

Towards the beginning of the season, head coach Brian Durocher was asked about what the goaltending situation would be like. Having Schroeder as the starting goaltender appeared to be the plan, but Durocher said he was going to try and get Stuart some more time between the pipes as well.

And he did just that.

Schroeder started 26 games for the Terriers, while Stuart started 10 games herself – double the games she saw last season having only played and started in five.

Both goaltenders finished with exceptional statistics.

Schroeder posted a 16-7-3 record, 1.54 average and .943 save percentage. Stuart concluded her season with an 8-1-1 record, 1.58 average and .938 save percentage.

It will be exciting to see what Schroeder and Stuart can do as a senior and junior respectively next season.

A Bright Future

Freshman forward Julia Nearis and freshman defenseman Nadia Mattivi turned many heads this season. The two finished consecutively in points; Nearis with 16 (12g, 4a) and Mattivi with 13 (5g, 8a).

Mattivi and Nearis both presented impressive resumés prior to their time here at BU.

Mattivi, an Italian native, played for her country’s national team where she saw championship action in 2019, competed on the men’s U19 national team in their championship game, and was named best defensemen after leading Italy to gold at the 2018 IIHF Women’s World Championship.

Nearis, a Massachusetts native, played four seasons of varsity hockey at Kent School where she captained the team to the 2019 New England Division 1 championship and was even named the tournament’s most valuable player. She also helped lead her Boston Jr. Eagles team to the 2019 USA Hockey Girls Tier-1 19U national title, and was also named to the 2019 USA TODAY All-USA Third Team. These are just a select few examples as to what Nearis has accomplished as well.

These Terrier youngsters rose to their lofty reputations in year one, and we can only expect that they will take another step as sophomores next season.

Thank You, Seniors

Eight seniors will be leaving the Terriers this postseason. They include Alexandra Calderone, Deziray De Sousa, Abby Cook, Kate Shannahan, Natasza Tarnowski, Breanna Scarpaci, Sammy Davis and Abbey Stanley. It’s a group that saw a Beanpot title in their junior year – BU’s first in three decades.

When commenting on what the senior class brought to the organization over the years, Durocher said that they led with example in competition, defending and work ethic that will surely be missed.

While there are shoes to fill, with a group led by juniors Jesse Compher, Nara Elia, Rachel Allen, and Kristina Schuler, the future looks just as promising for this Terrier team.