BOSTON – No. 4 Northeastern executed the weekend sweep with a 4-2 win over Boston University. Coming off an 8-1 win Friday, the Huskies had every reason to enter Saturday’s game with confidence, and that showed in the opening minutes.
Northeastern opened the first period with strong forward momentum, carrying the puck into the offensive zone early and often. That pressure paid off when the Terriers took a five-minute major for boarding. Freshman forward Lilly McInerney capitalized on the power play, beating sophomore goaltender Sydney Fogu with a backhand from the crease to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead.
Just a minute later, Boston University garnered another penalty, giving the Huskies a 5-on-3 advantage. An initial shot from sophomore forward Stryker Zablocki created a rebound in front of the net, where graduate forward Grace Sadura buried it to make it 2-0 Northeastern.
Tides quickly turned as Boston University freshman forward Quinn Taylor was in the right place at the right time, getting a shot past sophomore goaltender Renna Trembecky. Less than 40 seconds later, freshman forward Kylie Hollingsworth tied the game with a tap-in from the crease, putting away a rebound off a shot from the point.
Just like that, the confident Huskies were backed into a corner. The Terriers found their physicality and forced a back-and-forth game that continued until the last few minutes of the period.
Junior forward Morgan Jackson put Northeastern back in the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the first period, scoring from the crease on a play similar to several of the Huskies’ other goals this weekend.
Northeastern carried a 3-2 lead into the intermission and held a 24-11 advantage in shots.
The second period was uneventful on the scoreboard. Boston University had a few opportunities in transition, but Trembecky came up with several phenomenal saves. Zablocki finally got a few shots off from below the circle after struggling against double-teams throughout the period.
The Terriers opened the third period looking dominant, but the Huskies quickly settled back in. Nearly 13 minutes into the period, Northeastern junior left winger Éloïse Caron went bar down to give the Huskies a 4-2 lead.
The referees initially waved off the goal and allowed play to continue for another two minutes before a stoppage for a BU penalty. During the stoppage, the officials reviewed the play and determined that Caron had scored. The clock was then rewound to the time of the goal, while Northeastern kept the awarded power play.
After the late goal and several sloppy penalties by the Terriers, the Huskies remained in control. Northeastern’s defense was spectacular in the final minutes, limiting Boston University’s chances and preventing the Terriers from pulling their goaltender.
The Huskies outshot the Terriers 50-29 and, despite facing a tougher fight than the previous night, carried their momentum through the final game of the Halloween weekend series.
“After a big win, we always worry about the next game […] but I think our players stood up to the test today,” said Northeastern associate head coach Nick Carpentino. He was happy with Trembecky’s play and the way the team supported her after a back-and-forth first period.
Newly transferred Sadura recorded 14 points last season with Minnesota-Duluth and has already put up 16 points in nine games since joining the Huskies. She has been a fantastic addition to the first line, fitting seamlessly into the team’s offense.
“I’m just excited to do it with my teammates,” Sadura said. “I feel like I’ve been able to fit in and the girls have been super welcoming, which allows me to play my best.”
Northeastern returns to action Friday Nov. 6th for a matchup against the University of Vermont. Armaan Vij and Mike Kaminsky will have the call at 6 p.m. on WRBB Sports+.