Just over a month ago, the Boston University women’s hockey team began its head-turning start to the season with a 7-1 romp over Merrimack.
It was a convincing win, but questions about the team’s makeup remained. Even after that season-opening statement, few could have predicted the position the Terriers are in now.
A seven-game win streak that could be nine by Friday night. A place in the USCHO poll. A solidified starting goaltender in Callie Shanahan. A young star in Lola Reid. A fully bought-in roster. A team atop the Hockey East standings.
Before an enormous series with Boston College on Nov. 15-16, the Terriers have a chance to close the loop on this stellar start to the season with two more games against Merrimack. The first will take place Thursday at Lawler Rink in North Andover at 6 p.m., and the second is slated for 3 p.m. at Agganis Arena on Friday.
Here’s what you need to know.
Details have been the focus ahead of this series
Despite the impressive sweep over a solid Providence team last weekend, BU head coach Tara Watchorn has emphasized details she said “need to be better” against Merrimack.
She mentioned a focus on cleaner changes and play in the defensive zone, which was emphasized on film this week. Watchorn said the staff will be looking out for any adjustments Merrimack may have made to its system, but the attention has mostly been given to internal improvements.
A recent surge for the Welckes
Saturday’s win was a breakthrough game for Luisa Welcke, who scored her first two goals of the season in the 5-1 win. She has stuck on the top line with her twin sister, Lilli, throughout the season.
Both Welckes have had plenty of chances to start the season, but they failed to cash in on many of them — often making one too many passes on a rush, or waiting too long to shoot the puck. On Saturday, they bucked that trend.
“I think you get to a point… you’re probably thinking about scoring a little too much, when you get to that point,” Watchorn said. “We had a chat and just said, ‘Listen you’re first line for a reason…the goals are going to come.’”
Watchorn said she would be tweaking the lines this weekend, but signs are pointing towards the first line of Lilli Welcke, Luisa Welcke and Lindsay Bochna sticking together.
The Terriers have acknowledged the external praise, but the focus remains the future
Watchorn wants her team to appreciate the fact that the team is nationally ranked for the first time since 2021, but she wants the focus to remain on what’s ahead.
“It’s a great accomplishment for the program and well deserved, obviously I think we’ve put together a good start, but I think what this group is continually realizing is just how good we can be, and there’s still a lot to do.”
There’s a balance to be struck, according to Watchorn. Coming into the season, a national ranking seemed like a lofty aspiration for a group that lost several core pieces from last year’s middling team. But with a winning culture well-established within this year’s squad, the Terriers aren’t satisfied with where they are.
Scouting the Warriors
Since the 7-1 loss to BU, Merrimack has gone 4-2-0, including sweeps of Vermont and Lindenwood. The only two losses were to Boston College — one of them a 7-3 defeat, but the other a close 2-1 loss. The Warriors are 4-4-0 overall.
Freshman Chloe Goofers has emerged as an offensive threat, and she leads the Warriors with four goals and seven points. Sophomore Maria Lindberg has three goals and seven points, and last year’s BU captain, Madison Cardaci, has three goals and five points with her new team.
Junior Calli Hogarth (2.93 goals against average) and freshman Margaux Favre (3.07 GAA) have split time in net.
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