With just less than a minute to go in the first period of No. 11 Boston College women’s hockey’s game against Connecticut, a trio of eagles broke away toward the Huskies’ goal.
Going against two Huskies defenders, BC created its best scoring opportunity of the first period. UConn goaltender Tia Chan was shifted toward the near post as the Eagles closed in, and Keri Clougherty opted to shoot toward the far side, netting the early-game equalizer.
BC’s goal was imperative after it barely shut down several threatening offensive possessions from UConn. UConn had out-shot BC 11–8 up to that point.
UConn (9–7–0, 8–3–0 Hockey East) dominated face-offs and saw second-chance opportunities in the offensive zone, lifting the Huskies over BC (10–5–0, 7–3–0) by a final score of 2–1.
UConn continued its offensive efforts right out of the first intermission. Claire Murdoch found herself with a 1-on-1 chance against Grace Campbell but was denied by BC’s netminder.
Murdoch faked a wrist shot and tried a back-handed chip shot. Campbell did not react to the decoy attempt and got her glove on the chip shot.
UConn’s first goal came from the blue line off a wrist shot from Maya Serdachny.
With about four minutes left in the second frame, following a UConn power play that yielded no goals, Ashley Allard shot a one-timer that found the net, giving the Huskies what would be their game-winner.
UConn didn’t slow down after gaining the lead but successfully killed off precious seconds when necessary. Winning the face-offs was a great way for the Huskies to keep possession, but the Huskies’ passing was the greater catalyst for their sustained success and eventual win.
With eight minutes remaining in the second period, Ava Rinker fired a pass from UConn’s goal line all the way to a waiting teammate on the offensive blue line. The Eagles were caught off guard by the quick transition. It was Murdoch versus Campbell for the second time, but Campbell prevailed yet again.
Campbell ended the game with 26 saves.
Chan proved invaluable to UConn’s puck control, proving to be decisive whenever she needed to play the puck outside the crease. Chan also deflected several shots with her stick to keep the clock running.
BC reversed the game’s momentum in the third period and fired off 11 shots, but without an additional goal, the Eagles were outlasted.
