Boston College women’s hockey wasted little time to jump out to a multi-score lead on Friday against Maine, as Julia Pellerin and Caroline Goffredo’s back-to-back strikes in the first period put the Eagles ahead 2–0.
But the Black Bears used two power-play goals to carry them past BC. Maine’s decisive go-ahead score with just over 16 minutes remaining in the game proved to be just enough, as the No. 14 Eagles (5–5–1, 5–5–1 Hockey East) couldn’t respond en route to a 4–3 loss to Maine (4–5–0, 2–3–0) in Conte Forum.
BC, meanwhile, didn’t score on either of its power plays.
“I didn’t think we had our best game today,” BC head coach Katie Crowley said. “I thought we didn’t come out with a lot of jumps even though we went up one to nothing. I thought we were reactionary instead of anticipating plays and making plays happen.”
The loss marked BC’s first since its 12–2 defeat on Oct. 6 against Wisconsin.
With 6:44 left in the first period on Friday, Abby Newhook and Sammy Taber found Pellerin, who broke through Maine goaltender Jorden Mattison to give BC a 1–0 lead. Less than three minutes later Taber set up another play, this time finding Goffredo to double the Eagles’ lead.
But with less than a minute remaining in the first period, Maine responded to cut the deficit to 2–1. Mira Seregély executed a swift pass to Ava Stevenson, who managed to get past BC goalkeeper Grace Campbell for the goal.
Maine’s command of the power play was evident when play resumed in the second period. At the 15:40 mark, Ann-Frederique Guay tied the game at 2–2. Alyssa Wruble notched the assist.
But the Eagles didn’t give in, as they regained the lead midway through the second period at the 10:16 mark. Jade Arnone found Goffredo, who blasted home a close range shot for her second goal of the game to put BC ahead 3–2.
The Eagles also had two power-play opportunities in the second period but didn’t score on either. BC’s lead, meanwhile, was short-lived. It could not put a stop to Maine, as the Black Bears continued to fire off shots—they totaled nine in the second period and 27 in the game.
The Eagles, however, recorded 28 total shots in the game. Mattison tallied 25 saves while Campbell notched 23 saves.
With 3:35 remaining in the second period, Guay once again struck the back of the net with help of Ida Kuoppala’s assist, leveling the score at 3–3, and setting the stage for a competitive final period.
“We have to be a little more disciplined and take away the passing lanes and just be a little more hungry there,” Crowley said.
In the final period, Guay finished her hat trick on another power-play opportunity, securing the 4–3 Maine victory.
The Eagles failed to place the puck in the back of the net in crucial moments when they needed to, going 0 for 2 on power plays.
“We have to come a little more prepared, a little more ready to play,” Crowley said. “You have to know that every time we come out against any team, you have to be hungry and prepared to compete at every shift.”
