Neely Nicholson’s game winner and growing role lift BU women’s hockey to Belpot title

It is not unusual for a player to attend a post-match press conference after a loss. This is not unusual for the Boston University women’s hockey team. Head coach Tara Watchorn believes in dispassionate debriefs and keeping routines consistent regardless of the outcome. After all, there are quality losses and bad wins – and for her, it’s ultimately about the process.

But regardless of the outcome, a member of leadership, or a senior, usually speaks to the media. So why did a junior, usually in the bottom six, speak after the game?

Just days later, it was announced that Nicholson had earned an ‘A’, stepping into a leadership group with senior forwards Sydney Healey and Clara Yuhn and senior blueliners Maeve Kelly and Maeve Carey.

“As soon as I asked the questions to the captains, it was a no-brainer. They wanted her there,” head coach Tara Watchorn said in a media call after the announcement.

Since her appointment, Nicholson has two goals and two assists to her name, but none more important than her match-winning result on Saturday night against Harvard in the Friendship Series championship, which secured the Belpot for BU and earned her game MVP.

The team has been across the pond for a week, leaving plenty of time for off-ice activities. Earlier in the trip, BU attended a Belfast Giants game – the team that calls the ice sheet used for the Belpot its home rink.

During the match, the crowd sang a “SKOL” chant, and similarly, Nicholson and the rest of the team became obsessed with it, during warm-ups, during meals, and even after waking up in the morning.

It was the obvious choice to celebrate for Nicholson after she took a pass at the top of the slot from Kelly and made a wrister to put the Terriers up 3-2 at 12:46 of the third period.

“I got a great pass from Maeve. We work on that play a lot in practice and talk about it,” Nicholson said. “So I don’t know, I just filmed it, pretty cool to see it go in and secure the Belpot.”

She later explained the origins of her “SKOL” celebration, smiling as she demonstrated the arm movement, and eventually Watchorn joined in.

This moment showed why Nicholson has become a defining part of the Terriers’ culture. Her impact on the ice has grown throughout the season, and her presence off the ice is reflected in the positive attitude she has taken towards her media presence following the Friendship Series.

Watchorn has emphasized the importance of adaptability within her team. She is not afraid to adjust lineups and consistently emphasizes that a strong culture leads to stronger play. Nicholson exemplifies that philosophy.

During the first game of the tournament against No. 8 Quinnipiac, Nicholson played on a line alongside junior forward Greta Henderson and freshman forward Lexi Bertelsen.

In the first 30 minutes of the game, the Bobcats outplayed, outplayed and thoroughly outplayed BU, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead. Quinnipiac shut down the Welcke-Welcke-Walsh line – one of BU’s most productive forward units – making it essential for the Terriers to adapt.

The answer? Move senior forward Riley Walsh to the middle of Henderson and Bertelsen, and slide Nicholson next to the Welcke sisters.

“It was nice to have Riley in the middle,” Watchorn explained. “From then on it was just getting the puck in and working.”

After the adjustment, BU was finally able to crack Quinnipiac. It highlighted Nicholson’s adaptability.

Last year, she rarely moved up and down lineups. This season, she could be placed alongside BU’s top forwards when changes are needed and could even log minutes on special teams.

In recent games, Nicholson has carved out a spot on the power play by working around the circle, making himself available in puck battles and pressuring defenders up front.

Although BU’s power play in the Friendship Series didn’t produce results, it still looked strong at times.

With 14:32 left in the championship game, the Terriers earned a shot at the women’s advantage after a stumble at Harvard.

During that two-minute stretch, BU generated some of the best chances of the night, fully maintaining possession in the offensive zone. Harvard couldn’t clear the puck.

When the Terriers lost possession in their zone in the opening minute, Nicholson would engage in puck battles with her body and stick to win back the puck and set up BU for more shot opportunities.

This Terrier season was all about growth. With a record of 5-11-3, BU’s focus now is on peaking at the right time. All signs point in the right direction, and Nicholson’s continued improvement as a player and leader is a promising sign.

“It’s great momentum to start the year,” said Nicholson of the championship win. “I think we all knew what we were capable of. It came down to a few bad rebounds per game, so it’s great to string together six great stretches of hockey and start the year really strong.”