By Alex Bensley
BOSTON — In a clash of cross-town foes, the No. 3/2 Northeastern Huskies prevailed in the 42nd annual beanpot at Walter Brown Arena, ousting the No. 10 Harvard Crimson 3–1 in the first semifinal game Tuesday evening.
“Exciting game, think it was fast paced. Chances on both ends, went right down to the wire. Was exciting to be a part of it,” Northeastern coach Dave Flint said.
Sophomore forward Alina Mueller tallied three points and junior defenseman Skylar Fontaine added two. Junior netminder Aerin Frankel made 31 saves in net to secure the victory for the Huskies (24–3–1)
Mueller struck first for the Huskies with 4:51 to go in the first period. She added two assists to give her 52 points on the season, a team-best mark.
“We just try to get the puck to the net,” Mueller said of her team’s offensive approach. “Our line did a pretty good job moving the puck so there’s open lanes to get pucks to the net.”
Fontaine scored next for Northeastern early in the second period. The junior defenseman also tallied an assist to give her 30 points on the season.
“I definitely think that getting bodies in front of the goalie was a huge thing, especially for the second goal,” Fontaine said.
The Crimson (12–9–1) were not to be outdone. First-year Shannon Hollands cut the lead in half midway through the second period on a two-on-two break, giving the Crimson life. Harvard goalie Becky Dutton kept her team in the game, setting aside 35 shots and making some highlight-reel saves.
In the end, Harvard couldn’t get past Frankel, as sophomore Chloe Aurard sealed the deal with an empty-net goal in the game’s final minute.
With the win, the Huskies advance to their first Beanpot final since 2017.
“We definitely have had some trouble at this tournament in the past, but I think that just made us come into today with a little chip on our shoulder,” Frankel said. “It was an extra special feeling. And I guess we kind of broke the curse.”
The win comes one day after Northeastern men’s hockey beat Harvard in their Beanpot semifinal. As with the men, the Northeastern women will face Boston University in the final. The women’s game is Tuesday at 8 PM EST.