If there’s one thing coach Tara Watchorn prioritizes, it’s not the scoreboard — it’s how each game shapes Boston University women’s hockey’s evolving identity.
With much of last season’s core graduated, building chemistry with a new roster is no small task. This past weekend’s road series against Colgate proved that.
BU (0–4) was swept in its first away matchup of the year, falling 3-1 and 4-3. Offensive rhythm was elusive for much of the weekend, as the Terriers struggled to generate sustained pressure through the majority of the games.
“Its unfortunate to only show up for one of six periods,” Watchorn said after the game on Saturday.
BU was outshot 31-20 on Friday and 42-18 on Saturday. In the first two frames on Saturday, the Terriers were only able to tally nine shots on net.
Still, BU has shown they can skate with the nation’s best. In their home opener, the Terriers held their own against No. 3 Minnesota, playing a confident, full 200-foot game. Though the series ended in two losses, it offered glimpses of promise—and BU’s effort has not gone unnoticed. The Terriers climbed one spot in this week’s USCHO poll to No. 13, a nod to the team’s potential despite the early-season setbacks.
This Friday’s matchup against ECAC opponent Brown University is a must-win matchup.
“You get to the end of that second game and you’re seeing the team that we can be when we want to be,” Watchorn said Wednesday on her midweek media call.
This weekend BU only has one chance to tally a win before conference play starts. If BU wants to break into the win column, channeling momentum from their home opener is critical.
A goalie tandem is still at play
This past weekend Mari Pietersen and Michelle Pasiechnyk split time in net.
Pieterson started Friday, recording a .933 save percentage.
“She kept us in it,” Watchorn said of her performance. “That could have been a lot different score tonight.”
Pasiechnyk, former NCAA goaltender of the year, posted a .905 save percentage on Saturday.
“She makes saves you don’t think she is gonna make,” Watchorn said.
Statistically, Pietersen had the edge, but Pasiechnyk faced heavier pressure throughout the matchup.
Regardless of who gets the nod on Friday, both goaltenders have given BU a reliable backbone. Even when the Terriers are not at their best, their netminders have shown they can, and will, keep them in a fight.
Greta Henderson provides the team with consistency.
The junior transfer from St. Cloud State tallied her first point for BU this past weekend. She provided the assist on the Terriers’ opening goal on Saturday.
“She fights hard, she skates 200-feet, she’ll play physical…that consistency and knowing what you are gonna get is definitely something we appreciate from her,” Watchorn said.
Her dependable presence is something BU will lean on given the number of new players on this BU squad.
Special teams both helped and hurt BU.
The Terrier’s penalty kill was put on display eight separate times in the weekend series. Obviously discipline is an issue, but to have a reliable penalty kill gives the team an anchor.
On the flip side, BU’s power play faltered, going 0-for-6 over the weekend and struggling to maintain sustained possession, as demonstrated by Colgate’s frequent clears.
“We gotta win the special teams game,” Watchorn said. “That is where we are looking first.”
Scouting the Bears
The Terriers are Brown’s first opponents of the season. Selected to finish eighth in the ECAC Preseason Poll, the Bears finished with a 14-13-3, 9-10-3 ECAC record last season.
Though their record does not speak words, Brown was able to edge out strong opponents, like Clarkson, last season. That same Clarkson team took down BU in the NCAA Regional Semi-Final.
The Bears return standout forward Monique Lyons, who appeared in all 30 games last season, led the team in goals (14) and points (24), earned All-USCHO and ECAC All-Rookie honors, and ranked second nationally in goals per game among freshmen with a 0.466 average.
Between the pipes, Brown brings back starter Rory Edwards, who turned in a .921 save percentage last year.
“Of course we want them to win,” Watchorn said. “But we want them [to win] the right way.”
