Oct. 21, 2007

Box Score

DURHAM, N.H. - Boston University dropped its conference opener to fourth-ranked New Hampshire, 3-1.

After falling down 2-0 with both scores coming from UNH freshman Jenn Wakefield, the Terriers fought back and cut the lead to one with the team's lone goal, scored by sophomore Sarah Appleton with 11:49 left in the second period. The Wildcats regained the two goal lead with a shot on the empty net late in the third period, sinking the Terriers.

The loss comes as Boston University's (0-4-1, 0-1-0 HE) fourth against a ranked team, as the Terriers fell to second-ranked Mercyhurst twice last weekend and seventh-ranked Minnesota the weekend before. The Wildcats improve to 3-1-0 (1-0-0 HE) with the win and sit atop the Hockey East rankings, tied with both Maine and Providence, who each have one conference win heading into Sunday's action.

UNH was on the attack early, putting pressure on the Terrier defense from the first whistle. With 17:50 left in the first period, the Wildcats got through the BU defense and placed a shot on goal with Terrier goaltender Alyssa Wilcox fooled, but the shot clanked off the right post. Following that shot, Wilcox made several impressive blocks, totally 13 saves in the period and 35 in the game.

Wakefield, who was responsible for two of UNH's goals, got the Wildcats on the board with 56 second left in the first period, sneaking the shot around Wilcox's glove side and depositing it in goal. Wakefield struck again early in the second period, sending a shot into the upper left-hand side of goal to put New Hampshire up 2-0 with 15:20 left in the period.

However, the Terriers kept battling, and their perseverance was rewarded as Appleton drew BU to within one with 11:49 left in the second period. Appleton, who placed a team-leading four shots on goal, rebounded her own shot off the netminder's pads and shot it in over the goaltender's stick.

The Wildcats got their lead back to two late in the third period, when the Terriers pulled Wilcox to put six skaters on the ice. With 34 seconds left in the game, Wakefield drove into BU territory and evaded a defender to pass off to senior Leah Craig, who put the final goal on board.

UNH went without a penalty in the game, while BU suffered only two infractions, with both coming in the third period. However, none of the Wildcats goals came on the power play. The Terriers took nine shots in the game while the Wildcats totaled 38.

The Terriers next take to the ice for the team's home opener against Dartmouth on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. The two teams met during the 2005-06 season, BU's inaugural season, and skated to a 4-3 Dartmouth victory.