Steele, Woloschuk partnership vital for women’s hockey

For a team that currently sits third in Hockey East and fourth in goals against average, the Boston University women’s hockey team has certainly had its fair share of contributors on the defensive end this season.

While the tandem of sophomore Erin O’Neil and junior Victoria Hanson in net has been effective, there are a number of defensemen who deserve recognition as well.

Among them are junior Sarah Steele and senior Alexis Woloschuk, who have played critical roles for the Terriers (16-9-2, 13-4-2 Hockey East) all season long. The pair has helped limit opponents to three goals per contest.

“They’ve had fantastic years,” said BU head coach Brian Durocher. “It’s great to see both of them playing well together. Last year, we put them together for part of the year and they played well, but I don’t know if they played with this confidence.”

The confidence that Durocher alluded to has helped the duo combine for a plus-23 rating. Steele and Woloschuk currently rank second and third on the team in plus-minus rating, respectively.

“Last year Sarah was physically a little banged up,” Durocher said. “She had some situations that made it hard for her to train off [the] ice, but she was able to get some of that corrected. Alexis is probably the consummate defenseman — steady, smart, does exactly what coaches want. So all of a sudden, you’ve got two veterans who understand the game. They know how to play. Their season is very noteworthy.”

Galway adjusting to college hockey, showing growth

In a similar vein, freshman defenseman Connor Galway has been getting more comfortable on the ice in her inaugural campaign with BU, and Durocher has rewarded her for her efforts.

The Athens, Ontario native joined the Terriers after two seasons with the Toronto Aeros. In her first year with the Aeros, she helped lead them to the Final Four of the Provincial Women’s Hockey League, and a season ago, she captained the squad.

Galway certainly is not lacking in leadership skills, and as she gets more comfortable in Hockey East, Durocher believes her contributions with only become greater.

“There’s not a lot of flash in her game, but there’s smarts,” he said. “There’s solid hands and there’s good decision making. She’s been at least as good if not better than what we thought, and I can only see her getting better in the next three years. The big test for her will now be keeping her composure.”

Relying on key players in key situations

Boston College has been dominant across the board this season, leading Hockey East in a number of offensive categories. But like in years past, the Terriers may not be at the top of the standings in the regular season, but look for them to be around come tournament play.

BU has won four consecutive Hockey East championships, and Durocher’s squad will look to capture that same magic again this season.

The team can’t do it without its leading scorers, though, and forwards like sophomore Rebecca Leslie, sophomore Victoria Bach and senior Sarah Lefort will look to continue their impressive seasons going come crunch time.

All three currently rank in the top 12 in scoring in the conference, and have been major keys behind BU’s success this year.

“Without a doubt, you want your big players to play well in big games,” Durocher said. “We always talk about all three lines contributing and getting the depth, but without a doubt, I think every college team counts on their big players to score. Then if we get others chipping in, getting big goals, that’s the combination that helps you have really successful seasons.”

After a 31-point freshman season, Leslie is the team’s main offensive force this season. She was recently named Hockey East Player of the Week and leads the team with 28 assists and 36 points.

“Whoever she’s been with, it’s been pretty consistent,” Durocher said of Leslie’s play. “Bach was with her, [junior forward Maddie] Elia was with her. She played on what I’d call the second power-play group, the first power-play group, and wherever she’s gone, she’s been a catalyst.”