After a strong performance last weekend against No. 3 Minnesota, Boston University (0-3) looked poised for another convincing performance. But the No. 8 Colgate Raiders (1-2) had other plans. The Terriers were put on their heels early and struggled to match Colgate’s offensive pace. A pair of second period penalties halted BU’s momentum and the Terriers were unable to recover, ultimately falling to a 3-1 loss.
Here are three takeaways from the matchup:
Mari Pietersen anchored BU’s defense in net.
After last weekend’s goalkeeper tandem between second-year Mari Pietersen and former goalkeeper of the year Michelle Paseichnyk, the question of who would start in goal remained unanswered. Although Pietersen reported a slightly higher save percentage, you could argue that Paseichnyk put in a stronger performance on goal due to the quality of the shots she saved.
On Friday evening, Pietersen made a strong case for starting or continuing this goalkeeper tandem. She faced 47 shots and handled rebounds with poise, deflecting second-chance opportunities and keeping BU in the fight.
In the second period, Colgate peppered Pietersen with shots, but the BU net manager held up under the pressure. The Terriers trailed 16-7 in the frame, but Pietersen kept them at a reasonable distance.
Without her performance, the score could have easily spiraled out of control.
Lexi Bertelsen’s impact was felt over a distance of 60 meters.
Freshman forward Lexi Bertelsen put BU on the board with a slick wrister from the circle, driving into the five-hole to beat the Colgate netminder. The goal marked her first collegiate goal and BU’s only score of the evening, showcasing not only her offensive instincts but also her versatility as a two-way player.
Bertelsen logged time on the second penalty kill unit and consistently asserted himself on the backcheck during five-on-five play, forcing turnovers and building defensive momentum when the Terriers needed it.
Special teams stumbled as BU failed to convert.
Special teams struggled to generate consistent ozone time, with BU unable to establish strong puck control or effective cycling.
The Terriers failed to capitalize on their power play opportunities, settling for a low shooting percentage during the player benefits and multiple clears from the raiders.
On the penalty kill, BU looked promising to start, but after back-to-back penalties in the second period, Colgate captain Emma Pais scored her second of the night right in front of the net with no defenders on her.
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