For most people, it’s the third time that’s the charm. But for Boston College women’s hockey, the third time just means continuing to do what it does best. For the third time in as many years, the Eagles (26-3-3, 17-2-3 Hockey East) hoisted the iconic Beanpot trophy, defeating Boston University, 4-3. BC showed expertly-executed systems and an on-the-ball performance from Katie Burt in the first period. Yet the Terriers (11-15-6, 6-11-5) fought back, pushing the game into overtime.
Just over two minutes into the game, freshman phenom Daryl Watts struck. BU’s Corinne Schroeder left the right side of the goal wide open, allowing Watts to sneak into the middle of the faceoff circles and launch a shot high into the back of the net.
Ten minutes later, Molly Slowe lit the lamp for just the second time all season, marking her second career goal. Caitrin Lonergan streaked down the boards and passed it along to Watts. Slowe waited at the left pipe, and when Watts found her, she slid the puck behind Schroeder in the crease.
“Kinger [head coach Katie Crowley] puts her out there for 10 seconds and she scores,” Burt said. “She was huge tonight. I think she might’ve been the difference-maker.”
Victoria Bach proved to be the biggest threat to the Eagles, though, attempting multiple times to score on the breakaway. Burt, however, played her into the crease, and Bach couldn’t finish it off until the second period. Four minutes into the frame, Bach raced up the middle with only Caroline Ross in front of her. She targeted the top left corner of the net, and all Burt could do was look back at the puck.
Before the goal was finished being called, BU capitalized on the vulnerable Eagles, who were now down a player after Caitrin Lonergan got caught for hooking. Bach passed the puck to Reagan Rust just inside the Eagles’ defensive zone. Rust launched a shot, which made it through traffic to end up inside the unblocked left side of the net. Minutes later, Rebecca Leslie took the lead for the Terriers. Bach weaved up to the goal, then centered the puck to Leslie, who had a clear shot on the cage.
The Eagles experienced a similar defensive breakdown in the preliminary round of the Beanpot against Northeastern. BC was up by two goals exiting the first, but the Huskies caught up and put two on their side. Eventually, the Eagles managed to score a third goal and stay on top to ride out the game. Crowley mentioned that the Terriers were quick to transition the puck back into the Eagles’ defensive zone.
“We need to clean it up a little bit,” she said. “They have some very dangerous players, and so you gotta be a little more careful with the puck, so we’ll keep working on that.”
BC and BU struggled in a stalemate for the remainder of the second period and most of the third, despite a power-play opportunity for BC and two for BU. Watts broke the scoring drought with less than five minutes left in regulation, tying the Eagles and Terriers down for overtime. Slowe stripped the puck from BU, and Watts scored yet again for her third point of the game. Watts has 75 total points so far this season, including 39 goals.
With the game tied, BC and BU headed into overtime. The Eagles maintained control over the puck for the beginning of the period, but struggled after Ross was sent to the penalty box for roughing. BC came out of it unscathed, and the pressure of the moment inspired the Eagles to be even more aggressive in front of BU’s net. While Kenzie Kent skated up to the Terriers’ defensive zone, Abbey Stanley tripped her, resulting in a power play. Right as it was about to expire, Toni Ann Miano launched the puck above Schroeder’s stick side, ending the game.
Daryl Watts won MVP following the game, and Burt won the Bertagna Award for best goalie of the tournament. The senior had several key saves during the tournament, including several big stops against BU. The Lynn, Mass. native holds the Beanpot in a special place in her heart.
“We won the Beanpot, and all the other awards, ya know, they’re just add-ons,” Burt said.
Featured Image by Bradley Smart / Heights Editor
