With a stellar, but unexpected, first half of the 2024-25 season now in the rearview mirror, the Boston University women’s hockey team carries elevated expectations into 2025.
The No. 13 Terriers (11-5-1, 9-2-1 Hockey East) sit atop the conference heading into their first game of the calendar year against Holy Cross.
BU hasn’t taken the ice for a game in 28 days, a 3-1 win at Maine on Dec. 6. The Terriers returned to the ice for practices on Dec. 29, according to head coach Tara Watchorn.
“[I] was pleasantly surprised with how they showed up to kickstart the week,” Watchorn said in her weekly media call Thursday. “We feel really confident about our preparation.”
Friday’s game against the Crusaders is at Hart Center Rink in Worcester. Puck drops at 6 p.m. Here’s what you need to know.
Is BU’s success sustainable?
The Terriers were excellent in all three facets in the first half of the season. Their forward depth has proved to be an asset, the defensive core showed its versatility and senior netminder Callie Shanahan has won several games for BU.
“There’s buy-in, there’s ownership, and they take pride every day in how they put that jersey on and how they perform,” Watchorn said. “I think that’s a big piece [of their success].”
But can the Terriers sustain that success after a month away? Their head coach thinks so.
“They’ve really stepped up with their accountability, the leadership group has been huge, and you’re seeing it,” Watchorn said. “We’ve generated confidence.”
Mari Pietersen is back at practice
The sophomore netminder hasn’t played since Oct. 26 against Syracuse after suffering an undisclosed injury. Watchorn confirmed on Thursday that Pietersen has returned to the ice.
“We’re hopeful for the coming weeks that you might see her [get] a little bit more action,” Watchorn said.
Shanahan has seen a dip in her numbers since Pietersen went out. She has an .885 save percent in that span. It drops to .842 in her last five starts. Pietersen’s return is a welcome sign for the Terriers.
Scouting the Crusaders
Holy Cross (7-9-1, 3-7-1 HE) sits tied for eighth in the conference heading into the back half of the season. Last time out on Dec. 7, the Crusaders lost to Merrimack in overtime 3-2.
Sophomore forward Emily Crovo leads Holy Cross in scoring with 14 points (six goals, eight assists). Junior forward Alexia Moreau, who scored twice in BU’s season-ending defeat last season, ranks second on the Crusaders with 10 points (five goals, five assists).
The likely starter in net for Holy Cross is junior Abby Hornung, who’s been stellar in her 10 starts. She boasts a .943 save percentage and allows only 1.83 goals per game.
“I remember in the recruiting process really liking Abby,” Watchorn said. “When she’s on, she can find a way to steal you a hockey game.”
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