UNH upsets No. 4 BC Eagles in come-from-behind victory

The University of New Hampshire women’s hockey team hosted No. 4 Boston College on Saturday at the Whittemore Center. The Wildcats had their backs against the wall as the Eagles were up 3-1 halfway through the second period, but a never-give-up demeanor helped the ‘Cats come out on top as they fought back to rally past and upset Boston College 4-3.

UNH head coach Brian McClosky praised their balance as a team that gives them a good shot to take care of opponents.

“We have a nice balance, we are very patient, and we maintain a consistent pace of play,” McClosky said.

New Hampshire struck first 11:11 into the first period as freshmen defender Alexis Crossley fired a slap shot from the point off a pass from Arielle O’Neill and Jonna Curtis that hit the top right corner of the goal. 

UNH could only savor its lead for a short period of time as Boston College came back striking a blow a little under three minutes later. 

Freshman center Dana Trivigno broke away from UNH defenders using her speed to her advantage coming from the left side toward UNH’s defensive zone as she took a quick shot from the center of the goal going five-hole on Wildcats goalie Vilma Vaattovaara. Meghan Grieves and Blake Bolden assisted the Eagles goal.

At the end of the first period, UNH and BC were tied at one. UNH outshot BC during the period 11-8.

Boston College came fighting back with a chip on their shoulder from the slow start of the first period by scoring 2:15 into the second period. The goal came off a turnover from a UNH defender from in front of the Wildcats’ net that allowed Meghan Grieves to put the puck home. Ashley Motherwel was credited with the assist.

BC refused to stay satisfied with a one-goal lead as they came back scoring another goal 7:10 into the second period off a rebound created by Haley Skarupa. Skarupa got the assist by firing a shot from the front of the UNH goal that allowed Dana Trivigno to get her second goal of the game and put the Eagles up 3-1. 

New Hampshire was pushed to take chances late in the period as captain Kristina Lavoie moved the puck on a quick 2-on-1 opportunity from a breakout pass from Jess Ryan. Lavoie found the stick of teammate Kristine Horn who put the puck five-hole to bring the deficit to one.

After the second period, BC was up 3-2. The Eagles outshot UNH 17-7 during the period.

New Hampshire gained momentum off the late goal by Horn as it struck 8:50 into the third period off a goal by freshman and leading scorer Sara Carlson who found the back of the net off a feed by teammate Alexis Crossley who fired another shot from the point hitting low right corner. Arielle O’Neill was credited with the assist. All of a sudden, UNH was tied up 3-3.

Crossley scored her second goal of the day that helped seal the rally past BC coming 9 seconds into a power play as Crossley fired a shot from the point that hit the low right corner bringing the crowd to its feet. Quick passes from Horn and O’Neill, who received their second points of the game, created the goal.

Crossley praised her success from one simple piece of advice from McCloskey.

“Coach told me to get off the wall and put it towards the net, and that is what I did,” Crossley said.

New Hampshire held their own the rest of the way as Vaattovaara shut the Eagles down in the third period.

The Wildcats return to action Friday, Oct. 26 on the road against Wisconsin.