For as well as the Boston University women’s hockey team played against No. 3 Minnesota this past weekend, Tara Watchorn has seemed unexpectedly — and tellingly — unsatisfied.
BU was swept at home, 5-0 and 5-2, but the Terriers played legitimate hockey against a powerhouse WCHA opponent and even led, 2-1, heading into the third period of the second game. Last year, that would’ve been more than enough for BU to take away, and we know that because when the Terriers were swept at Minnesota last October, that’s exactly how they felt.
“We were so proud of ourselves coming out of last year,” Watchorn said Wednesday on her midweek media call. “And it’s different how we define success for this group. We have expectations that are different.”
Despite the scoreboard, BU played far better against the Gophers this time around. In 2024, the Terriers put 25 total shots on goal over both games. In 2025? 24 alone in the first game and 27 in the second game. BU was confident and aggressive. It was able to build out of its defensive zone and through the neutral zone. The Terriers were still outplayed, but their speed, physicality and skill belonged on the same sheet of ice as Minnesota.
And yet, Watchorn’s relative lack of satisfaction.
“It was great that we saw flashes of what we’re capable of,” she said. “But we have higher goals than that.”
Turning those flashes into sustained performances is the focus heading into this weekend’s series with another non-conference power, No. 8 Colgate of the ECAC. BU, now ranked 14th, let its play slip in the third period of both games against Minnesota, when the Gophers scored a combined eight goals. The Terriers will get the chance to put together a more complete performance against another quality opponent.
“I think we proved to ourselves that we can carry the play, we can generate momentum, and we can dominate,” Watchorn said. “How do we do it over three periods, over a whole weekend?”
A win in Hamilton, N.Y., would be the program’s first against a top 10 opponent since 2021.
As the extra defender, Thiessen impresses
Lucy Thiessen was left without a defensive pairing in both games against Minnesota. But in the second game, the freshman saw plenty of ice time.
At 5-foot-5, she’s undersized on the blue line but makes up for it with dynamism — she was confident and fast with the puck at her stick on Saturday.
“She’s a great skater,” Watchorn said. “Definitely a really talented, skilled defenseman for us. And I think we’re just looking to get her more reps and experience.”
Quigg set to return
Sophomore forward Kaileigh Quigg, one of BU’s most exciting returners, didn’t play on Saturday in what the ESPN+ broadcast called a “minor upper body injury.”
On Wednesday, Watchorn said Quigg is “looking like she should be” ready for the Colgate series.
Quigg centered the second line on Friday.
Making the players available
Assistant captains Clara Yuhn and Sydney Healey accompanied Tara Watchorn in the postgame press conferences against Minnesota. Only once in the 2024 regular season was a player made available after a loss.
“It’s a progression we make as a team. For the players’ voices to be heard, it’s important,” said Watchorn.
Watchorn wants BU to avoid defining itself by wins or losses. Players are made available after victories, and she doesn’t want that norm to change just because the Terriers lose.
“Our captains are aware that part of their job is being the voice of the players, win or lose,” Watchorn said. “We try to have the same norms and routines around wins and losses.”
Scouting the Raiders
Colgate is one of the country’s best programs. The Raiders have made three consecutive NCAA tournaments. Before losing to Cornell in last season’s final, Colgate was on a run of four straight ECAC titles.
The Raiders enter the series at 0-2 after a pair of losses (5-3 and 9-4) to No. 2 Ohio State. But this still figures to be one of the best teams in the nation. Senior Elyssa Biederman returns after a 51-point 2024 season. Fellow forwards Emma Pais and Sara Stewart had 38 and 32 last season, respectively, and senior defender Casey Borgiel had 26 assists. The Raiders graduated the PWHL’s No. 1 pick, Kristýna Kaltounková, but a bevy of talent still remains.
“Just to get out of the city and spend some time as a team, some shared experiences should be good against a great opponent,” Watchorn said. “It’s going to be a good test.”
