Boston College defeats Vermont

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Senior captain Danielle Welch scored the game-winning goal midway through the second the period, clinching a first-round bye in the Hockey East tournament for No. 4 Boston College with a 2-0 win against Vermont on Friday.

Junior goalkeeper Corinne Boyles earned her fifth shutout of the season by stopping 20 shots from the Catamounts (4-21-6, 3-15-2 WHEA). Vermont goalie Roxanne Douville registered 61 saves in the loss to the Eagles (22-8-3, 14-4-2 WHEA).

BC generated a 17-4 shots advantage in the first, but could not put in an initial goal despite producing several quick shots from the top of the circle heading and around the crease.

Before BC could get on the board, freshman center Alex Carpenter collected a turnover in the neutral zone, breaking through the Vermont defense for a breakaway in the second period.

The Eagles continued to control play with a 19-11 shot tally in the second, getting on the board, 1-0, at 13:20 with Welch’s goal. Defender Dru Burns hit sophomore center Meagan Mangene in the slot for a quick one-timer that produced a rebound. Welch swept around the back of the goal, putting the puck in as she reached around the post.

Coming out of the second intermission, Boyles made three quick saves as Vermont jumped on BC. The Catamounts drew a five-minute major after penalty against the Eagles for contact with the head, but were unable to capitalize.

After drawing a checking penalty a few minutes later, junior winger Ashley Motherwell added an insurance goal at 10:25. Junior defender Blake Bolden shot the puck from the point, allowing senior captain Mary Restuccia and Motherwell to pounce on the rebounds that ensued.