Box Score
Postgame Interview - T. Holze
STORRS, Conn. - Sophomore Lillian Ribeirinha-Braga scored her first collegiate goal and senior Taylor Holze notched the game-winner to help the Boston University women's ice hockey team defeat Connecticut, 2-1, on Friday night at Freitas Ice Forum.
BU (17-8-1, 10-5-0 WHEA) snapped a four-game losing skid and extended its win streak over Connecticut (7-18-2, 4-9-1 WHEA) to 13 games. Holze's marker came with 6:49 remaining in regulation and proved to be the difference as the Huskies got their lone goal with 2:37 to play. Senior Kaleigh Fratkin collected two assists and senior Kerrin Sperry stopped 20 shots to help the Terriers become the second Hockey East team to 10 league wins.
After a scoreless first period, Ribeirinha-Braga opened the Terriers' account with a power-play strike at the 12:19 mark of the second stanza. UConn nearly cleared the zone, but sophomore Sarah Lefort lifted the stick of a Husky and kept the play alive. Moments later, senior captain Louise Warren cycled the puck to Fratkin, who in turn got it to Ribeirinha-Braga. She blasted the puck from the top of the left circle that got through a screen and past Elaine Chuli (35 saves).
Holze twice had great scoring chances, including a shot off the post, before her she tallied her third goal of the season. The play began when freshman Maddie Elia helped pin a Husky defender along the end boards, which allowed sophomore Rebecca Russo to retrieve the puck. She got it to Fratkin in the right circle, from where she sent a shot towards goal. Holze was in perfect position to deftly redirect the puck by Chuli.
The Huskies made it 2-1 late in the game when they pulled Chuli in favor of an extra attacker during a power-play chance. The Terriers did well to thwart a last-ditch effort by UConn in the final minute and secure the two points. The two teams will conclude the regular-season series Saturday afternoon at Walter Brown Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m.
