The Boston University women’s hockey team (1-2-0 Hockey East) fell to the University of Connecticut’s Huskies (1-3-1 HE) by a score of 4-1 tonight. The matchup was a flex game so does not affect the Terrier’s conference record, however, the buzzer at the end of the third marked the Huskies’ first victory against Boston University since January 10, 2017.
The Terriers skated without senior forward and captain Jesse Compher, freshman forward Lacey Martin, and freshman defenseman Julia Shuanessy; their absences were not correlated to a positive Covid-19 test.
In their third straight Friday home game, the Huskies hit the ice strong and put on pressure in the offensive zone early. Senior forward Natalie Snodgrass netted UConn’s first goal––and her first goal of the season––five minutes into the opening period, the start to an impressive performance from her tonight.
Junior defenseman Camryn Wong put the Huskies on the board again late in the first to lift her team to a 2-0 lead. The Terriers had a chance to shift the momentum in the last few seconds of the first period with what turned into a missed shot from sophomore forward Julia Nearis.
“I think she just picked up her head to see the net and the puck slid off her stick or off the heel of her stick on pretty much a wide open net. I think there’s your potential momentum changer,” Head Coach Brian Durocher said.
UConn’s offense continued to produce throughout the second period with junior forward Danielle Fox scoring her first goal of the season 3:45 into the period, and freshman forward Kate Klassen dumping one in less than thirty seconds later.
Going into the third, Durocher said he told the locker room “I want to see who our competitors are.” He also made a goaltending change; junior goaltender Nicole McGuigan took over for Corinne Schroeder, the team’s leading senior goalie.
The Terriers didn’t allow any goals in the last period of play and finally got on the scoreboard with 2:48 left in the third. Junior forward Mackenna Parker gave the team their first tally with a cross crease goal, assisted by junior forward Courtney Correia.
Boston University’s loss gave Tia Chan, the Huskies’ freshman goalie, and the UConn team their first win of the season. Durocher notes that the home team brought a higher level of compete to tonight’s matchup.
The Terriers have a short break until January 1, 2021. The squad will face The University of New Hampshire at Walter Brown Arena––time of puck drop is to be determined.
Belle is a freshman in the College of Communication majoring in journalism. Born and raised in New York, she is a die hard Ranger’s fan and has held strong to her loyalties during her first year living in Boston.
She’s an associate editor of the sports section for the Daily Free Press and is so excited to be covering Terrier Hockey this season with the Boston Hockey Blog. Belle hopes the teams will act as a bright spot during this crazy year.
Great piece!