Box Score | Highlights

DURHAM, N.H. – The Boston University women’s ice hockey team tallied three third-period goals to erase a 3-2 deficit and defeat New Hampshire, 5-3, on Sunday afternoon at the Whittemore Center.

BU (5-4-0, 4-1-0 WHEA) trailed New Hampshire (1-8-0, 1-4-0 WHEA) twice by two goals, but was finally able to draw even in the final frame before taking the lead for good thanks to sophomore Victoria Bach's game-winner at the 6:36 mark of the period.

Bach was one of three Terriers that recorded three points on Sunday, as she also added two assists. Senior Lillian Ribeirinha-Braga recorded the first three-point game of her collegiate career with a trio of assists, while senior Kayla Tutino notched a goal and two assists.

Freshman Sammy Davis lit the lamp twice, with her final goal evening the score, 3-3, early in the third period. Junior Maddie Elia added an insurance goal at the with 8:53 remaining in regulation, and junior Sarah Steele, sophomore Rebecca Leslie and senior Rebecca Russo all had an assist apiece.

Sophomore Erin O'Neil made 36 saves, many of which came at crucial points of the contest, to earn her third win of the season. That total is one off her career high of 37, which she most recently achieved on Oct. 17 against Clarkson.

The Wildcats scored 7:12 into the contest to take a 1-0 lead. Bach had a golden chance to even the score at the 11:56 mark of the period after she broke through the UNH defense, drew a hooking penalty, and was awarded a penalty shot. Vilma Vaattovaara (26 saves) denied Bach on the ensuing attempt, however, to keep the Wildcats in front. UNH added a second power-play goal with 1:50 left in the period to take a 2-0 advantage into the second stanza.

Tutino got a goal back for BU at the 6:05 mark of the middle frame when she knocked home a loose puck that was deflected by a UNH defender. Ribeirinha-Braga and Bach each assisted on Tutino’s second strike of the season.

After the Wildcats regained their two-goal lead, Davis once again cut the UNH advantage to one with 7:23 remaining in the second period. A UNH penalty had just expired, but the Terriers maintained possession in the offensive zone. Ribeirinha-Braga found Steele, who then dished the puck to Davis. The freshman forward skated to the right dot and uncorked a wrist shot that stayed inside the left post for her sixth goal of the season.

UNH held a 3-2 advantage after two periods before the BU offense came alive in the final 20 minutes. Davis tied the game just 3:46 into the stanza when she skated into the zone, and with one defender to beat, sent a shot towards goal that had eyes past Vaattovaara.

Bach brought BU its first lead of the game moments later after a set faceoff play in the offensive end. Tutino got the puck to Ribeirinha-Braga, and the senior fired a shot from the point that Vaattovaara stopped. Bach won a battle at the top of the crease, however, and knocked home the rebound for her third goal of the season. 

Elia put the game out of reach at the 11:07 mark when she converted a terrific pass from Leslie. UNH pulled its goaltender late in the period and had a 6-on-4 advantage for two minutes with a Terrier in the penalty box, but the Terriers successfully held UNH scoreless for the remainder of the game. Despite taking nine penalties, BU held UNH to just 2-of-9 on the power play, and both those goals game in the first frame.

It will be a quick turnaround for the Terriers, as they will host Yale on Tuesday night at Walter Brown Arena. Puck drop for Faculty/Staff Night is set for 7 p.m.