Feb. 16, 2008

Box Score

STORRS, Conn. - The Boston University women's ice hockey team fell 2-1 to No. 8 Connecticut at Freitas Ice Forum Saturday, as the Huskies scored the game winner with just under 37 seconds remaining in overtime. Junior Laurel Koller scored the Terriers lone goal in the second period, as the team was held to only 21 shots on goal.

The teams held each others' offense in check during the first period, with a total of 10 shots fired off between the teams and no goals scored. The Terriers seemed to control the puck for the majority of the period, but UConn fought back with several shots on goal in the closing minutes.

The second period yielded a similar result, with only five shots on goal from each team again. However, the Huskies made one of their opportunities count, playing a rebound off junior Allyse Wilcox to net the first goal of the game midway through the period while Connecticut was on the power play.

Koller had a chance to put Boston University on top in the opening minutes of the second period. Sophomore Jonnie Bloemers skated towards goal and tossed a pass to Koller in the crease. Koller wristed a shot at close range on the netminder's glove side, but junior Brittany Wilson saved the shot with her mit.

Connecticut pulled ahead at 9:52 of the second period with a power-play goal from sophomore Samantha Reid. Sophomore Dominique Thibault rocketed a shot on Wilcox that deflected off the goaltender and over her head. Reid crashed the net on the right side, slotting the shot between Wilcox and the post for the score.

The Terriers squandered a five-on-three power play opportunity in the closing minutes of the second frame, registering only one shot on goal during the advantage. Freshman Lauren Cherewyk tried to lift a shot, but Wilson deflected the shot. Sophomore Sarah Appleton also had a solid goal, with the goaltender shifted to the opposite side, but her aim drifted wide right.

At 9:44 of the third period, Koller pulled the Terriers even with a power-play goal off assists from junior Amanda Shaw and senior Julie Poulin. At the top of the right circle, Poulin sent a centering pass to Shaw at the point. Shaw then inserted a pass between UConn defenders to Koller at net-side, who got her shot past Wilson.

With just over two minutes to play, Thibault emerged on a breakaway with no defenders between herself and Wilcox. But after crossing the blueline into the Terriers' zone, Poulin raced to catch up and poked the puck away from Thibault, rescuing BU from a treacherous situation in the waning moments of regulation.

The Huskies scored the game-winner with just under 37 seconds remaining in the overtime period, as sophomore Amy Hollstein lofted a puck over Wilcox's shoulder.

The Terriers will have another shot at UConn tomorrow afternoon, as the Huskies visit Walter Brown Arena for a 3:00 p.m. game Sunday.