No End to Beanpot Drought for Women’s Hockey Terriers

The BU women’s ice hockey Terriers looked to end their 37-year Beanpot drought last night, but it was the BC Eagles who left with their third straight Beanpot Tournament title. Photo by Jackie Ricciardi

• The BU women’s ice hockey Terriers fall to number 4 BC, 4-3, in overtime
• Forward Victoria Bach (CGS’16, COM’18) scored her 100th career goal
• The Terriers will finish the regular season with two games against New Hampshire

In Boston, one rivalry trumps all others: the Green Line hockey rivalry. Last night, the rivalry resumed as the BU women’s ice hockey Terriers faced the number four Boston College Eagles in the 40th Women’s Beanpot Tournament championship game. The two teams have met only twice on the championship stage: the first—in 1981, when BU was still a club team—remains the Terriers’ only Beanpot title win, and the last—2007—tied the series. But leaving the Conte Forum tonight, it was the Eagles who kept the Beanpot trophy—for the third straight year—with a 4-3 overtime win.

“I think everybody got their money’s worth with a real classic, great hockey game,” says head coach Brian Durocher (SED’78).

BU put up the game’s first threat as Deziray De Sousa (CGS’18) set up Nara Elia (CGS’19) right by the net. But the attempt was stopped by Eagles goaltender Katie Burt. The Eagles soon made a statement in return, as Daryl Watts, the nation’s leading scorer, netted a goal.

Victoria Bach (CGS’16, COM’18) wanted her 100th career goal, and she got it, but not for a while. Leading the first period with four shot attempts, Bach saw several opportunities to hit the historic mark, but in the first, the spotlight was reserved for Burt: captain Rebecca Leslie (CAS’18, Questrom’18) to Bach—stopped by Burt; Bach to Leslie—stopped by Burt. Later, Bach missed her chance on a breakaway as her stick went too far right, giving her a poor angle for a strong attempt.

BC forced constant pressure on the Terriers, aggressively looking to steal the puck in the BU defensive zone. The defense turned into offense: Caitrin Lonergan, the nation’s assist leader, flicked the puck behind her back to Watts, who crossed it to Molly Slowe. All Slowe had to do was slip the puck into the net: 2-0.

In the second, Bach kept going: bursting past the defense to create a breakaway opportunity—this time going left, but still unable to find room after mishandling the puck. But she didn’t give up. Just over three minutes into the period, she scored that 100th goal, finally besting Burt with her signature wrist shot, which hit the top right corner. The goal sparked a BU run.

In the next minute, a distance shot by Reagan Rust (CAS’20) split through Burt’s legs to tie the game. And while the Bach-to-Leslie connection failed the first time, it wasn’t destined to fail the second, as the captain brought the Terriers up 3-2.

The third period opened with aggression by both teams—each would grab opportunities near the net. With 13:39 to go, Bach would again find Leslie, but Burt had returned to form, turning a great opportunity to naught.

Holding a one goal lead and an opportunity to end their 37-year Beanpot drought, the Terriers played safe, seeming to attempt to slow down the pace. After 20 shots in the first two periods, the Terriers attempted only 6 in the third.

“Without a doubt, I’m hoping that the clock would move,” Durocher says. “The monkey on my shoulders is definitely getting heavier. We were definitely hoping we’d get out of there.”

After a grueling scoreless 16 minutes in the third period, Watts tied the game with a bullet to the top left corner. Makenna Newkirk tried to add to the sting with a diving effort in the closing seconds, but goaltender Corinne Schroeder (Sargent’21) stepped up to send the game into overtime.

BU was the first to get a break in overtime: a penalty by BC’s Caroline Ross gave the Terriers the first power play of overtime. Jesse Compher (CGS’19) struck a shot, but a rejuvenated Burt made the glove save.

The penalty on Abbey Stanley (CAS’20) proved to be crucial, as the Eagles won the game in overtime off the following power play. Photo by Jake Belcher

It was the Eagles who took advantage of their own power play: with Abbey Stanley (CAS’20) off the ice, Lonergan started off the power play with a shot from the far edge of the right circle, but it was caught by Schroeder. Just as the Terriers believed they had successfully killed the power play, defenseman Toni Ann Miano sank a shot with 10 seconds left in the power play to win the game for the Eagles.

Besides their tough, all-out effort, the evening had a bright spot for the Terriers: Bach is the first Terrier to score 100 goals at BU and just the 22nd player in NCAA history to reach 100 goals.

The Terriers are now hoping for better luck in the Hockey East tournament. They end the regular season this weekend against New Hampshire on back-to-back afternoons, Saturday on the road, then Sunday at home.

The BU women’s ice hockey team completes regular season play with a two-game series against New Hampshire. The Terriers first travel on Saturday, February 17, to meet the Wildcats at the Whittemore Center at 2 pm. They host the UNH team the next day, Sunday, February 18, at Walter Brown Arena at 3 pm. The Hockey East tournament begins February 23. The NCAA Frozen Four is March 16 to 18. 

Jonathan Chang can be reached at jchang19@bu.edu.