Chestnut Hill, Mass.--Tenth-ranked Boston College women's hockey advanced to the 29th Annual Beanpot Championship Game by defeating the sixth-ranked Harvard Crimson, 4-3, in a triple-overtime thriller lasting four hours and 11 minutes at Conte Forum. At 14:13 in the third overtime period, freshman forward Anna McDonald slipped the winning goal into the net.

Eagle freshman Molly Schaus backstopped the Boston College effort, making 73 saves--one shy of the Boston College single game save record. Through regulation, Schaus had registered 49 stops, including 22 in the second period.

At 9:58 in the first period, sophomore Becky Zavisza wrapped the puck around the Crimson net to junior Deborah Spillane at the far post. From there, Spillane dished the puck to freshman Allie Thunstrom waiting to bury the goal from the slot past Harvard's Brittany Martin. Later in the period, the Eagles built their lead to two goals when sophomore Meghan Fardelmann notched her 16th goal of the season at 17:59.

The Crimson responded with two goals of their own in the second period, inundating the Eagle defensive zone with 24 shots on goal and 11 blocked shots. Jennifer Sifers and Katie Johnston tallied the goals for Harvard.

With a 3-3 draw over half way through the final frame, freshman Kelli Stack connected for BC's only power play of the game with McDonald earning the assist. Harvard's Jenny Brine tied the game once more just 12 seconds later following Julie Chu's face-off and Sarah Vaillancourt's feed.

Once in overtime, the teams played evenly, with no team outshooting the other by more than three shots in any one period. Early in the third overtime, the Eagles killed off a crucial tripping penalty on Thunstrom in order to give McDonald the shot at the game-winning goal.

Harvard outshot Boston College, 76-52, for the game. Martin finished with 48 saves.

Boston College will play Boston University in the Women's Beanpot Championship next Tuesday, February 13 at 8:00 p.m. The Terriers defeated Northeastern, 4-2, earlier in the evening. The Eagles will first take on UConn at Conte Forum on Saturday, February 10, at 2:00 p.m.