BC Women’s Hockey Keeps Winning With Weekend Sweep of UNH

Boston College Women’s Hockey continues to get it done here in the early part of the 2021-2022 season. Yes, the Eagles had two more one-goal wins against a lower-tier opponent, but the story of the season has started to turn from “BC is playing down to its opponents” to “the Eagles are finding ways to win games.” With this weekend’s 2-1 and 3-2 wins over the New Hampshire Wildcats, Boston College improved its record on the year to 5-0-0.

Friday’s game was BC’s home opener, and for the most part Coach Crowley’s team put forth its best effort of the season thus far. While it was the fourth straight 2-1 win of the year and the offense still hasn’t started to click, the offensive possession was much better and the Eagles created far more scoring chances than they had over their first couple weeks. Were it not for the great goaltending from UNH’s Ava Boutilier, BC probably would have won the matchup without much drama.

How BC won Friday’s matchup was particularly satisfying — after Jillian Fey put the Eagles up 1-0 in the 2nd and UNH tied the game back up late in the 3rd period at 1-1, it looked like BC might have to look to 3 on 3 overtime to get the win. But just 13 seconds after the tying goal, senior captain Kelly Browne rifled a huge, clutch shot off the right post and into the net inside the final five minutes to earn the 2-1 regulation victory for BC.

The Eagles played through even more adversity in game two on Saturday night. This time, BC fell behind 2-0 and trailed by that margin all the way into the final minutes of the second period. But two quick-strike tallies from Abby Newhook and Willow Corson in just 34 seconds knotted the game up at 2-2 just prior to the second intermission, which totally turned the tide of the game.

From there, it was clear that BC had a “we’re going to win” mindset, knew they were the better team, and went out and took the W in the third period. It was Abby Newhook once again off a great feed from Hannah Bilka from behind the net for the game winning goal, and the Eagles held on from there for the 3-2 victory.

Newhook, a freshman, now quietly leads the team in goals and points in the early going with 3 goals and 1 assist in 5 games.

The rather soft early-season schedule continues for the Eagles next week with a game against Maine, who has struggled mightily in the early going. The Black Bears head to Conte Forum next Saturday with puck drop at 2pm.