Another top-10 matchup looms for Boston College women’s hockey and head coach Katie Crowley is likely hoping it goes much better. The sixth-ranked Eagles (1-2) fell twice to No. 9 Minnesota-Duluth to open the year, but bounced back against Syracuse and will enter a two-game set in the friendly confines of Kelley Rink against No. 10 Saint Lawrence (2-1-1) with momentum.
Who is BC playing?
Saint Lawrence
When is BC playing?
Thursday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m.
Where is BC playing?
Kelley Rink, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
How to Watch:
The game will be streamed on ESPN3 and is available on WatchESPN.
By the Numbers:
BC:
1) Goaltender Maddy McArthur had a near-spotless game against Syracuse for her first career win, turning away 22 of 23 shots in the convincing victory. The freshman turned away 11 shots in the third period alone.
2) Forward Makenna Newkirk had a goal and two assists against the Orange. Newkirk is the only active D-I player to have finished in the top 25 in the country in points each of the last three years, ranking 12th, 22nd and seventh.
3) Eagles transfer Lindsay Agnew is another player to keep an eye on for BC, as the forward from Minnesota is coming off a game where she appeared on the scoresheet for the first time. Agnew had a goal and two assists against Syracuse.
St. Lawrence:
1) Defenseman Skylar Podvey was the hero in overtime for the Saints the last time out, as they avoided a second draw with New Hampshire in a row. Podvey, a ECAC All-Rookie Team selection last season, already has a goal and an assist.
2) St. Lawrence has been a handful on the penalty kill, as it has handled nine penalties without conceding a goal. The Saints are one of just eight teams in Division I that still boast a perfect penalty kill percentage.
3) The player to watch is Justine Reyes, a junior who has increased her scoring output each of the last two years. Reyes scored 13 goals as a freshman, 17 as a sophomore, and already boasts two goals and two assists in just four games.
Last Meeting:
The teams split a two-game series last season, with the Saints slipping by with a 2-1 win in game one before BC doubled them up, 6-3. The St. Lawrence win snapped an eight-game win streak for the Eagles, handing them their first loss, and was the product of a 27-save outing from Sonija Shelly and goals from Hannah Miller and Kennedy Marchment. BC’s three-goal victory in the second game was paced by two goals apiece from Newkirk and Willow Corson, while Daryl Watts chipped in with four assists.
Outlook:
This series gives the Eagles a perfect chance to prove that the two losses at the start of the season were nothing more than a stumble. Here they are with another two-game set against a top-10 opponent with the added benefit of it being home and not halfway across the country. Newkirk, Watts, and Corson all enjoyed big games the last time they played the Saints, and the fact that Agnew is coming off her first strong game in a BC uniform should surely pose difficulties for St. Lawrence. McArthur looked the part of a potential star against Syracuse, and if she plays at a similarly high level against the Saints, the Eagles should be in good shape to avoid piling up further losses against comparably ranked teams.
Featured Image by Sam Zhai / Heights Staff
