The Boston University women’s ice hockey team was desperate for a goal Sunday against the University of Vermont after being dealt a shutout loss Saturday afternoon.
But when sophomore forward Erin Seman finally ended the team’s scoring slump with a tally at 0:59 of the second period, the score meant more than a 1-0 Terrier lead.
Seman’s goal represented the 100th in the young history of the women’s ice hockey program, which began competing at the NCAA Division I level last season. After notching 78 goals in its inaugural campaign, BU had scored 21 this season heading into Saturday’s contest against the University of Connecticut.
Unfortunately for the Terriers (7-3-0, 3-3-0 Hockey East), UConn goaltender Brittany Wilson had no intention of being touched up for the milestone goal the day before. The sophomore kept the BU offense under wraps while stopping all 24 shots by the Terriers in a 2-0 Connecticut victory.
Following a scoreless first period in Sunday’s game, BU had been shut out for five straight stanzas dating back to the third period of a Nov. 4 loss to No. 9 Boston College.
Seman ended the drought in the first minute of the second session to put the Terriers on top. BU held on for a 3-0 win over the Catamounts.
‘It was a real nice goal,’ said BU coach Brian Durocher. ‘Erin was able to pick off a pass and wrist a shot past their goalie. There’s no doubt the goal gave us a spark we desperately needed.’
Durocher also noted the greater significance of Seman’s tally, terming it a ‘key in the evolution of our program.’
The landmark goal comes less than a month after the men’s ice hockey team scored its 10,000th tally in program history. That achievement was reached by junior Pete MacArthur as part of an individual two-goal performance in a 4-3 win over Northeastern University on Oct. 20.
Seman now leads the team with four goals on the year, including three game-winners. Her nine points is second only to freshman forward Melissa Anderson (12).
Cat picking
Sunday’s win over Vermont was the third victory over the Catamounts in a six-game stretch for the Terriers. BU has now earned all three of its Hockey East wins against UVM, while going winless against the rest of the conference (0-3-0).
During the trio of victories, BU outscored the Catamounts 10-0 to give goaltenders Allyse Wilcox (one win) and Melissa Haber (two wins) plenty of offensive support.
BU now stands at 5-0-1 against UVM since making the jump to Division I. The Terriers will not play Vermont again during the regular season.
The fact that UVM (0-5-1 HE) has struggled so mightily in its second Hockey East season is not lost on Durocher.
‘We still needed to take care of business in these games [against UVM], so in that sense I’m proud of the way our team gave a workmanlike effort in getting those victories.’
‘Vermont is a team that will be heard from down the road because they have started to implement more scholarship players,’ Durocher added.
Shutout Hab-it
Haber’s second appearance at the collegiate level was much like the first: a shutout victory over Vermont.
The rookie netminder made her season debut Oct. 22 against UVM at Walter Brown Arena and turned aside all 26 shots registered by the Catamounts. Haber was recognized as the Hockey East Rookie of the Week on Oct. 23 as a result of the performance.
For her next game, the freshman was pressed into duty against BC on Nov. 4 after Durocher pulled an ineffective Wilcox midway through the second period. Haber finished with 11 saves while allowing two goals to the Eagles in a 5-2 loss.
On Sunday, the young goalie redeemed herself with a 17-save shutout effort against Vermont for the second time in less than a month.
The fact that Haber has proven to be a reliable backup in two starts is surely a positive given that Wilcox will need to rest during the arduous season.
‘The success bodes well for her confidence and the confidence of our entire team,’ Durocher said of Haber’s impact.
As far as increased playing time for Haber, Durocher said the situation will be dealt with on a game-to-game basis.
‘We’d like her to play more,’ he said. ‘Maybe next time we will start her in a game of greater significance against a better team [than Vermont].’
Kibbles & bits
Anderson was held out of Sunday’s game due to a coach’s decision for the second time this season, but she is expected to play Saturday against Providence College at Walter Brown Arena. … UConn’s Natalie Vibert was recognized this week as the Hockey East TPS Player of the Week, Vibert scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 win over the Terriers last Saturday. ‘hellip; BU’s 1980-81 women’s ice hockey club team was honored during the UConn game for their 1981 Beanpot title. ‘hellip; Following Saturday’s game against PC, the Terriers will embark on a season long five-game road trip through Dec. 2. ‘hellip; BU stands tied for the third highest point total in the conference (six). ‘hellip; The Terriers are second in Hockey East in scoring defense, but rank seventh out of eight teams in power-play conversion with a 10 percent success rate (0 for last 21).