Huskies lose regular season season finale to Boston University

The UConn Huskies Women’s Hockey team was defeated in both games of their home and away double header this weekend against the Boston University.

The Huskies’ first game of the weekend took place in Boston on Saturday. UConn took the ice looking to turn some heads against the No. 4 ranked Terriers, at one point having an early 5-1 lead. Sophomore Rachel Farrel got the scoring barrage started for the Huskies as she beat the Terriers’ goaltender early in the first period. UConn was not done as freshman Michela Cava, junior Stephanie Raithby and sophomore Kayla Compero each netted a goal of their own to push the lead to 4-1 at the end of the first period.

UConn would add another goal to their lead early in the second period as Brittany Berisoff struck the back of the net.

Unfortunately for the Huskies, Saturday’s matchup had a sudden momentum shift. The Terriers would answer back with six straight unanswered goals to take the lead. Boston University’s Sarah Lefort started off the comeback with a power play goal. Moments later, another Terrier goal came off the stick of BU’s Isabel Menard. Susan Doyle would complete the comeback and tie up the game with a goal of her own as the game pulled even 5-5.

Kayla Tutino would take the lead for the Terriers late in the third period, followed by a goal off the stick of Jennelle Kohanchuk. The game would end 7-5 in as the Terriers outshot the Huskies 50-16.

UConn and Boston University were back in action the following day back in Storrs, Connecticut. It was Senior Night for the Huskies as the team honored its three seniors.

Boston University would get the scoring started early in the first game as junior Louise Warren got the puck by the UConn goalie for the lead. The Huskies would fire back with a goal of their own in the first period off the stick of Berisoff assisted by seniors Maude Blain and Kelly Horan.

The Terriers would then break through with three straight unanswered goals, the first scored by Kohanchuk on a power play. Lefort would double the lead with another goal for Boston as they pushed the lead to 3-1. The Terriers would add their final goal when Lefort struck again early in the third.

UConn was still scrapping though as they scored a goal with only five seconds left in the game. The goal was scored by Compero and was assisted by sophomore Sarah McDonnell and senior Casey Knajdek. The game would end 4-2.

“We’re doing some really good things and we played pretty well defensively,” said head coach Heather Linstad. “But we’re just not putting the pressure on by getting shots on net.”
Elaine Chuli had a stellar weekend for the Huskies. Despite the two losses, she was able to make over 40 saves in each game for the Huskies.

“She just made so many unbelievable saves today,” said Linstad. “The program is in good hands with a goalie like that. She has done a good job, she really has.”
This weekend drops the Huskies’ regular season record to 3-28-3 and their conference record to 1-19-1 at the end of the regular season. UConn will now move to postseason play in yet another matchup with the Boston University Terriers to be played next weekend in Boston.