BOSTON — In their first game-like setting of the season, the Boston University women’s hockey team defeated Concordia University 4-1 in an exhibition game at Agganis Arena. Taking place on Sep. 20, this was the earliest either the men’s or women’s team has played to start the season, according to BU Hockey Stats.
After falling behind 1-0 at the 3:54 mark of the first period on a goal by Stingers forward Jessymaude Drapeau, the Terriers scored the final four goals of the game. In chronological order, the goal-scorers were Luisa Welcke, Lola Reid, Christina Vote, and Riley Walsh.
Here are three takeaways from the exhibition victory:
The line of Luisa Welcke, Lilli Welcke, and Riley Walsh stood out in a big way.
BU recorded 36 shots on goals and the Welckes and Walsh accounted for a third of them. From the opening shift of the game, it was clear that there was already a rapport between the three juniors.
“They bonded from day one this summer. I think Riley already made a trip out to Germany,” head coach Tara Watchorn said postgame. “The chemistry is there.”
It was Walsh’s first appearance for the Terriers since transferring in from Union College, but her presence was felt the entire 60 minutes, and she was rewarded with an empty net goal at the 18:41 mark of the third period.
“Riley brings a lot of grit, [and] willingness to go to the net and battle, and I think that really balances them out,” Watchorn added.
The Welcke sisters looked to have taken a jump in their second season with BU. They dominated Concordia, a team that did not lose a game last season en route to a Canadian collegiate national title. Luisa drew the Terriers even after her sister Lilli drove hard down the right wing, pulling back to find her sister at the right circle, who one-timed it home off the left post at the 4:12 mark of the second period.
They also ran out as the top power play line on several occasions. Expect them to be the team’s strongest line headed into Oct. 1’s game against Merrimack College.
Both Callie Shanahan and Mari Pietersen looked comfortable in net.
Senior Callie Shanahan might have been the only sure thing for the team coming into the season, and she played like it. In her period and a half of play, she stopped seven of eight shots, and the goal she allowed, she had no chance to stop.
Sophomore Mari Pietersen came in halfway through the second period and stopped all 11 shots she faced, using just about every part of her gear — blocker, glove, pads, and mask — to stop the Stingers’ attack.
“Love our goaltending duo,” Watchorn said. “Callie came in and gave us a chance as we figured it out in the first half, and [I’ve] been really impressed with Mari all preseason.”
It is interesting to note that Watchorn called the two “a duo.” Shanahan started 13 games in net last season, and Pietersen started nine and appeared in 11 games, so it will be interesting to see how Watchorn approaches the goalie situation as the season progresses.
The freshman were not spooked by the big stage
It would have been understandable if the freshman looked anxious or made some uncharacteristic decisions on the ice in their first collegiate game, but that was not the case on Friday.
Freshman forward Lola Reid imposed her physical style of play for the jump, was in the right place at the right time and buried home the game-winning goal at the 7:28 mark of the final frame. After a scrum behind the net, the puck trickled out in front, onto Reid’s backhand and she slotted it home.
“Lola’s really just buying into that compete and physicality that we’re playing with,” Watchorn said. “She’s good around the net, and I think you’re going to see more pretty [goals] and more [goals] like you did today.”
Freshman defenseman Keira Healey was paired with captain Tamara Giaquinto as the top pairing and looked comfortable on both ends of the ice, especially with the puck on her stick.
“Being a defenseman and freshman at this level, Keira showed so much poise with the puck,” Watchorn said. “It’s what we anticipated, but it was nice to see it come to fruition.”
I was certainly impressed with our performance from the goaltenders out. Scrappy play, and coming out of contested battles with possession, followed by productive passes, was encouraging – as Tara noted. I was also very impressed with Tara’s post-game interview answers. Specifically, she reflected on last year building trust with a “hands on” management, and this year allowing the team to offer feedback, as they have “bought in”, and are even exceeding early season expectations. Her guidance has, and is, manifesting itself in the on-ice play of both returning, and new, players. Optimism abounds! PSD