The University of Connecticut women’s hockey team took on Boston College in a two-game Hockey East series on Thursday and Friday. The Huskies dominated the opening matchup in Chestnut Hill, Mass., earning a 4-1 victory before returning to Storrs, where they battled for a 2-1 win to complete the series sweep.
Despite Boston College generating much of the early offensive pressure, UConn capitalized on its scoring opportunities to take a two-goal lead into the first intermission. Although the Eagles held a 14-12 advantage in shots, the Huskies made its chances count. Senior captain Livvy Dewar opened scoring in the 16th minute with her third goal of the season. Just over two minutes later, junior forward Ellie Markakis found the back of the net to double UConn’s lead. The goal marked the first game winning goal of Markakis’ collegiate career.
The Huskies carried their offensive momentum into the second period, continuing to limit Boston College’s opportunities while extending their lead. UConn took control offensively, outshooting the Eagles 12-5. Dewar found the back of the net for the second time in the 11th minute, pushing the Huskies’ advantage to 3-0. This performance marked the second multi-goal game of Dewar’s career.
UConn continued to apply pressure in the third period, adding another goal before holding off a late Boston College push to secure the 4-1 victory. Freshman forward Caileigh Tiller scored in the eighth minute, recording her team-leading seventh goal of the season and extending the Huskies’ lead to 4-0. Boston College responded in the 14th minute, scoring its first goal of the game to cut into the deficit. With just under three minutes remaining, the Eagles pulled their goaltender in an attempt to generate additional offensive opportunities. However, UConn’s defense, anchored by sophomore goaltender Taylor Belchetz, held firm to close out the victory.
Returning to Storrs for the second matchup, UConn faced an early deficit despite controlling much of the offensive play in the opening period. The teams traded chances early in the first period, before junior defender Grace Bickett opened scoring for the Eagles in the seventh minute. The Huskies generated several scoring opportunities, including a power play, while outshooting the Eagles 19-3. However, UConn was unable to capitalize, trailing 1-0 heading into the first intermission.
The Huskies continued to generate offensive opportunities in the second period, eventually finding the equalizer. Both teams had early power-play opportunities but were unable to convert. Freshman forward Addison Stewart broke through for UConn in the eighth minute, tying the game at 1-1. The goal gave the Huskies momentum as they took control of the pace of play, outshooting the Eagles 21-13 in the period.
With the game still tied entering the third period, UConn relied on its defensive effort and a late offensive breakthrough to complete the series sweep. The Eagles applied early pressure, earning three power-play opportunities within the first 10 minutes. However, goaltender Belchetz remained strong in net to prevent the Eagles from converting. With just under two minutes remaining in regulation, Markakis scored the go-ahead goal to give UConn a 2-1 lead, assisted by Tiller and junior forward Claire Murdoch. The goal marked Markakis’ second consecutive game-winning goal. The Huskies capped off the game with a season-high 50 shots, outshooting the Eagles 50-38.
The two victories improved UConn’s record to 6-4-2 overall and 3-0-1 in Hockey East play. Markakis played a key role in the sweep, recording game-winning goals in both matchups, while Belchetz totaled 65 saves across the two games. The Huskies will look to carry their momentum in their next Hockey East series against Providence on Nov. 13-14, opening at home before traveling to Providence, R.I., on Saturday.