Despite BU women’s hockey’s 2-1 loss to Brown (1-0), signs of progress are starting to show, even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect it. The Terriers are getting closer to the identity they are trying to build.
“I liked our environment today. I liked our professionalism,” head coach Tara Watchorn said. “I thought we had a lot more attention to detail, and it was just a little too late this week, but we want to build on that next week.”
BU (0-5) is still looking for its first win after Brown struck early and maintained an offensive lead that the Terriers couldn’t quite overcome.
“It’s a tough situation to be in,” assistant captain Sydney Healey said. “It’s clear that every team wants to win. That’s clearly the goal.”
Going into the game, the lineups looked very different compared to last week’s game against Colgate. It is striking that sisters Lilli and Luisa Welcke separated for the first time this season.
Luisa started on the fourth line alongside Lola Reid and Mia Vergilii, and Lilli played with assistant captain Sydney Healey and freshman Lexie Bertelsen.
Just 6:34 into the opening frame, BU went short after sophomore Tessa Demain was called for interference.
The Terriers not only killed the penalty, but also provided attacking pressure. Lilli Welcke broke through the neutral zone on a breakaway and fired a wrist shot to netminder Rory Edwards, who deflected it high — one of BU’s best scoring opportunities of the game.
After Demain’s penalty, Keira Healey was whistled for holding, sending the penalty kill unit back to work.
Fortunately for BU, the PK – perhaps the team’s most consistent asset this season – delivered again, clearing multiple pucks and even creating chances on the other end.
In the second half of the first half, there was more time in the offensive zone on Brown’s side.
With 1:19 left in the frame, the Bears were called to trip, sending BU onto the power play, where the Terriers failed to generate.
BU’s power play has been ice cold so far this year: 0-for-18.
“Sometimes a personnel change can provide a spark,” Watchorn said of the power play. “I don’t worry about it in general, as long as we get better.”
Opening the second frame, Brown turned a skater’s deficit into a breakaway opportunity, but goaltender Mari Pietersen held on to deny the Bears.
“I think a few breakdowns led to some unique types of shots, especially early on,” Watchorn said of Pietersen, “and she really kept us in it, which gave us confidence towards her.”
Pietersen has shared time in net with fellow goaltender Michelle Pasiechnyk. Pietersen currently has a save percentage of 0.907.
In the second period, head coach Tara Watchorn shuffled the lines, reuniting the Welcke sisters on the top unit. This move led to a noticeable chemistry, giving BU a renewed sense of momentum.
That momentum quickly translated into results. Luisa Welcke broke BU’s deadlock by scoring a goal on a rebound opportunity.
However, BU struggled to maintain clean breakaways and sustained offensive zone time after taking the lead.
“We tried to execute some of our strategy and our concepts on our exits,” Watchorn said of the team’s struggles in the middle of the ice. “But it was the correct interpretation of when to use which strategy.”
As the period progressed, the Terriers began to lose their defensive strength. At 2:50, Brown was called for cross-checking, giving BU a power play, but again the Terriers failed to generate quality chances.
After the successful kill of Brown, BU was unable to regain offensive control. The Bears seized the momentum, with forward Olivia Fantino tying the game with just 34 seconds left.
Brown carried his momentum into the third, taking the lead just one minute into the period and never giving it back.
In a final push, BU pulled Pietersen for the extra attacker, but the man advantage did not result in the equalizer.
With their five-game non-conference slate completed, the Terriers next move to Hockey East competition.
Although the outcome wasn’t what BU wanted, Watchorn said the team is making steps in the right direction.
“We were just changing. We were able to start our shifts in the offensive zone and we were able to put a little more pressure on them,” Watchorn said.
Since Watchorn started coaching, the team has never been in a situation with the higher expectations they have now.
If the Terriers keep chipping away, the ice will break and the wins will follow.
“We’re getting better, gradually better,” Healey said.
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