At this point in the season, one can almost expect Boston College women’s hockey to win against an opponent on any given night. Considering the Eagles remain undefeated through their first 20 games, the latest claim being a 7-2 victory over Syracuse University on Thursday afternoon, who can blame them? But this time, BC sprinkled in some special milestones and records to sweeten its win.
For starters, the game marked BC head coach Katie Crowley’s 200th win with the Eagles, putting her 20 percent of the way to men’s hockey head coach Jerry York’s inevitable 1,000th win, which is expected to come in early January. Crowley, who has been at the helm of the team for seven years, led the Eagles to a program record 34-win season in 2015, earning her the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s Women’s Ice Hockey Coach of the Year Award. Her coaching has remained essential to the performance of the team, as indicated by this year’s record.
BC (20-0-0, 13-0-0 Hockey East) blew out Syracuse (8-10-2, 5-1-2 College Hockey America), scoring a goal two minutes into the game. After a shot from Lexi Bender that got lost among the ’Cuse defense, Makenna Newkirk tipped it in the corner of the goal.
Later in the period, Alex Carpenter struck for her first of four goals during the match. Haley Skarupa, who also had a landmark game in her own right, passed the puck to a waiting Megan Keller, who gave it to Carpenter. She launched the puck into the net, sending Orange goalie Jenn Gilligan to the floor in a save attempt, but couldn’t block the shot. Skarupa’s assist in the second goal marked her 200th career point with the Eagles, a feat that she would expand on during the rest of the game with four more assists..
Skarupa and Carpenter collaborated for another goal minutes later, passing the puck across the ice to each other. Carpenter drew the goalie out to the right post and then shot into the left side of the net, giving Gilligan no chance at a save.
BC put the offensive heat on early again in the second period, with Carpenter scoring yet another goal with just three minutes on the ice after the intermission. The dynamic duo of Skarupa and Carpenter worked together again, helping Carpenter notch her fourth hat trick of the season. The chemistry between Carpenter and Skarupa is undeniable, yielding an offensive powerhouse that is unmatched with other lines on the team—the two are arguably the best scoring tandem in women’s hockey right now.
BC’s fifth goal against Syracuse led to some changes in the net for the Orange. After Dana Trivigno hurled a shot high into the net, Gilligan was pulled out. Her replacement, Maddi Welch, faced an onslaught of shots from the Eagles in the second period, saving 16-of-17. The one that got away was a rebounded shot by Meghan Grieves, who deftly finished off Andie Anastos’ goal attempt.
The Orange kept BC goalie Katie Burt from her eighth shutout of the season with a goal eight minutes into the second period. Amanda Ferrera skated toward the goal and passed the puck at the last minute to Melissa Piacentini, confusing Burt and allowing Piacentini’s goal to slide in without a problem. Syracuse’s goal sucked the offense out of both teams, as no goals were scored until more than halfway into the third period.
BC broke up the dry spell with its final goal of the night by employing Skarupa and Carpenter, with the help of freshman Ryan Little. Carpenter did not have a successful first attempt, but took her rebound and forced the puck past Welch.
Two minutes later, the Orange bombarded BC’s net, and Piacentini managed to put another one past Burt, who sat on the ice for a few moments after the goal was scored.
Though futile on this day, Syracuse displayed an aggression that pushed the Eagles in the last few minutes of the game and overwhelmed their goalie. Even so, BC showcased its talent, breaking records left and right throughout the night.
Featured Image by Michael Sullivan / Heights Editor
