Terriers Claim Belpot, Best Harvard 3-2 in Friendship Series Championship

Saturday, January 3

Belfast, Northern Ireland

2 PM ET/7 PM GMT

Boston University

5-11-3

Harvard

8-7-1

Harvard

Boston U.

Women's ice hockey celebrated Belpot Win 2026

Photo by: Eliza Nuestro

Terriers Claim Belpot, Best Harvard 3-2 in Friendship Series Championship

January 3, 2026 | Women's Ice Hockey

Box Score Postgame Audio - Tara Watchorn and Neely Nicholson

BELFAST — The Boston University women's ice hockey team were crowned champions of the 2026 Friendship Series after defeating Harvard, 3-2, in the championship game on Saturday at SSE Arena.

The Terriers (5-11-3, 4-6-2 HE) gave up a tying goal to the Crimson (8-7-1, 4-5-1 ECAC) just 1:21 into the third, but junior Neely Nicholson's go-ahead goal with 7:14 remaining would prove to be the decider in a back-and-forth game.

Senior Riley Walsh got the scoring started in the first period, scoring 17:55 into the game. The Crimson would tie the game just 4:18 into the second, but then senior Lilli Welcke pushed the Terriers ahead just 36 seconds later, and BU took a 2-1 lead into the third.

HOW IT HAPPENED

At 9:33 in the first, BU went to the box for hooking.
The Terriers successfully killed the penalty.
With just over two minutes to go in the first frame, Bertelsen's pass to Walsh at the near post was lifted in to give the Terriers a 1-0 lead.
Harvard looked as though it had tied the game moments later, but BU challenged for goaltender interference and was successful, wiping the goal off the board.
At 4:18 in the second period, Harvard found the back of the net to tie the game, 1-1.
BU responded 36 seconds later when a pass across the slot from Reid found Li. Welcke, whose net-front shot found the back of the net for BU's second goal of the night.
The Terriers went to the box for cross checking at 15:30 and fended off the Crimson power play.
Harvard evened the score, 2-2, just 1:21 into the third stanza.
BU went on the power play with 14:32 on the clock due to a Harvard tripping call.
The Terriers did not convert on the power play.
BU was called for hooking at the 7:56 mark and were once again successful on the penalty kill.
At 12:46, Kelly passed to Nicholson, whose long-range shot fired into the net for the game-winner.
Harvard pulled its netminder with 1:13 to go in the game.
The Terriers were then called for body checking with nine seconds to play, but they fended off the Crimson to earn the 3-2 win and the Friendship Series title.