Freshman Becky Zavisza’s overtime goal propelled Boston College to its first victory ever over No. 5 New Hampshire by a 3-2 margin on Saturday in Kelley Rink. Prior to the win, the Eagles were 0-32-2 against the Wildcats.
The game-winning goal over the Wildcats (5-2, 2-1 Hockey East) came with 59 seconds left in the overtime period when sophomore Deb Spillane dished the puck off to freshman Becky Zavisza, who slotted it to the right side of the net. This was Zavisa’s fifth goal of the season.
The Eagles (3-1-3, 2-1-1 Hockey East) withstood a Wildcat offense that put 14 shots on net through the first and second periods, holding them scoreless. Senior goaltender Alison Quandt made seven saves in the first period, including a spectacular glove save to her left.
“I think we adjusted big time in defending the middle of the rink and defending a high offense team,” said BC coach Tom Mutch said. “We played with a lot of urgency and passion and we found a way to keep them off the board until the third period. From top to bottom we played very hard for sixty minutes. Our goaltender Alison Quandt played great. Now we are going to get some rest on Sunday, watch what we did on Saturday and get ready for another high offense team. It doesn’t get any easier from here.”
Sophomore Sarah Feldman opened up the scoring at 16:36 in the first period when she picked up a loose puck in the Wildcat’s defensive end and shot to the left post. The Eagles were down one player on the ice when Feldman netted her third of the season.
While there was no scoring in the second period the Eagles put five shots on goal and killed two power play opportunities for the Wildcats.
In the third period, New Hampshire came back when Sadie Wright-Ward netted her fourth and fifth goals of the season and put the Wildcats up by one. The first goal came in the 5th minute, when Wright-Ward redirected a pass in front of the Eagles’ net. Her second goal at 8:53 was on a power play. Wright-Ward was alone on the left side of the net and she placed the puck in the upper part of the net.
The Eagles responded less than a minute later when Spillane tallied her fifth goal and 11th point of the season off a rebound.
The Eagles return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 8 when they host No. 6 Dartmouth at 7:00 p.m.
