Head coach Tara Watchorn admitted that the travel and unfamiliar environment caused stress for her group, and that was reflected in the Terriers’ play in the first half of Friday’s game against Quinnipiac. Watchorn added that she believes her players will “take this experience and run with it,” and that was reflected in BU’s come-from-behind, 2-2 draw and shootout win at the SSE Arena.
The No. 8 Bobcats raced around the Terriers early in the second semifinal of the 2026 Friendship Series in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Quinnipiac used the Olympic-sized rink to its advantage, using its speed and more open space to create dangerous chances. At one point in the second period, the Bobcats outscored BU 17-3 for a 2-0 lead.
“They understood what it all meant,” Watchorn said after the game. “The bigger ice, a team we haven’t played before, all the normal stuff.”
Despite falling behind early against a ranked opponent, the Terriers once again did not crumble, and thanks to senior forward Sydney Healey’s two goals and junior netminder Mari Pietersen’s 36 saves, BU powered their way to a quality shootout victory, and in this case, a chance to win the Belpot Trophy.
“That’s probably the most I’ve seen this group find in things that worked for us, without having to take a heavy shift or spend extended periods of time in the D-zone and getting in our own heads,” Watchorn said.
Graduate forward Laurence Frenette opened the scoring for Quinnipiac at 10:48 of the first period, driving the net from behind the goal line to beat Pietersen by five.
Sophomore forward Taylor Brueske doubled the Bobcats’ lead at 3:39 of the second period. Brueske picked the pocket of junior forward Neely Nicholson at the right faceoff spot and ripped home a shot to make it 2-0.
Healey was clearing a scrum for Quinnipiac sophomore goaltender Felicia Frank, dragging the Terriers onto the scoreboard at 11:48 of the middle frame.
Healey’s first tally of the night gave life to BU, which woke up after taking the Bobcats’ lead and finally started to take advantage of the extra ice.
“Our puck management, all things considered, has gotten a lot better,” Watchorn said. “If you’re on a large ice surface, you’ll be in a better place if you use that.”
The Terriers carried their momentum into the final period of regulation, and at 11:37 Healey tied the game with a beautiful shot that beat Frank low and away. In what was a frustrating first half of the season, Healey was one of the few constants for BU.
“She can just take advantage of those clutch moments,” Watchorn said.
Conversely, junior forward Kahlen Lamarche, who leads the NCAA in goals with 22 for the Bobcats, was held off the scoresheet. The Terriers were able to limit its damage with just six defenders, as freshmen Lucy Thiessen and Avery Supryka both did not play on Friday. Watchorn described their absences as “team management matters” and said both are day-to-day matters. Freshman forward Anežka Čabelová also did not play.
Watchorn was complimentary of seniors Maeve Carey and Maeve Kelly and sophomore Keira Healey postgame, who held down the fort on BU’s blue line against a dangerous opponent.
Despite a late push from Quinnipiac, the score was still tied as regulation expired. In the 3-on-3 overtime period, the Terriers survived a holding penalty against sophomore forward Kaileigh Quigg. Pietersen made several excellent stops to keep her team in the game. The Bobcats dominated possession in the extra session, but could not crack Pietersen.
“She helped us find a way to win,” Watchorn said of Pietersen. “It’s the big saves, it’s the big moments, and I know the girls are really rallying behind her.”
In the shootout, she stopped all three Quinnipiac attempts, and senior forward Lilli Welcke scored the lone goal to lift BU to Saturday’s final. The Terriers will face Harvard, which defeated No. 5 Minnesota-Duluth 3-2 in overtime earlier Friday.
Saturday’s Friendship Series Championship kicks off at 7:00 PM local time and 2:00 PM EST.
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