CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Haley Skarupa scored the lone goal for the Eagles as No. 2 Boston College fell to New Hampshire 3-1 Wednesday night at Kelley rink. The Wildcats got a goal and an assist from Nicole Gifford, while goaltender Vilma Vaattovaara made 36 saves to lead UNH to victory.
The Wildcats took an early 1-0 lead at 4:01 of the first period when senior Arielle O'Neill picked up her own rebound in front of the net, pulled the puck out of traffic, and flipped a back-handed shot into the net over the pads of Eagles goaltender Corinne Boyles.
New Hampshire doubled its lead at 13:05 of the first frame with a power-play goal from Gifford. The senior from Ennismore, Ontario swung the puck from the redline between Boyles' legs and into the net to give UNH the 2-0 lead.
Skarupa cut the Wildcats' lead in half with four seconds remaining the in the first period when she lifted a wrist-shot from the dot into the top of the net. Senior Taylor Wasylk assisted on the goal, digging the puck out of the boards and leading Skarupa towards the net for the open look.
Cassandra Vilgrain gave UNH a 3-1 lead with a power-play goal, the second of the game, at 18:23 of the middle stanza. The Calgary, Alberta native concluded the scoring when she rocketed a one-time slapshot into the net on a cross-ice pass by Gifford.
BC had several chances to score during the game but could not capitalize. With 41 seconds remaining in the first period, Kate Leary took an open shot from the slot but Vaattovaara made a great glove save. Next, Melissa Bizzari had a breakaway at 6:25 of the second period, but shot the puck wide of the net. Finally, Andie Anastos was denied her fourth goal of the year at 4:08 of the third period when she tried to sneak the puck through the legs of Vaattovaara, but the netminder adjusted just in time to make the save.
Special team played a big factor in the game, as UNH was 2-5 on the man advantage while BC went 0-6.
BC outshot UNH 37-27 in the contest.
Vaattovaara stopped 36 of 37 shots and improves to 3-0-1.
Boyles made 24 saves in 59:36 and falls to 3-1-0.
The Eagles return to action Saturday, Oct. 19 when they host Yale at 2 p.m.