Junior defenseman Madison Cardaci scored a hat trick for the Terriers
Cardaci Hat Trick Propels Boston University Past Merrimack, 4-1
Junior defenseman Madison Cardaci scored a hat trick for the Terriers

Box Score - Highlights

BOSTON - Junior Madison Cardaci scored the game's first three goals as the Boston University women's ice hockey team raised its unbeaten streak to four by posting a 4-1 home victory over Merrimack on Friday evening at Walter Brown Arena.

It was the first multi-goal game of Cardaci's career as the junior forward opened the scoring 5:50 into the contest before adding two more early in the third. Linemates Christina Vote and Catherine Foulem earned two assists on the night as did freshman defender Brooke Disher.

BU has now claimed 10 of 12 Hockey East points during its 2-0-2 unbeaten streak and stands at 9-15-2 overall and 8-12-2 in conference play. The Terriers are now tied with Maine for sixth place in the Hockey East standings. Merrimack falls to 7-20-1 with a 4-16-1 conference mark.


HOW IT HAPPENED

- Merrimack had the better of the early play but the Terriers struck first when Cardaci occupied the net front and a tipped pass by Foulem made its way to her.

- Cardaci's first attempt to knock the elevated puck in just missed (and would have likely been high-sticking) but she connected on a quick second try right before the puck returned to the ice to open the scoring 5:50 into the contest.

- BU later had the lone power-play chance of the opening period but was unable to extend its lead.

- The Terriers held a 12-11 shot advantage in the second period but neither team found the back of the net in the frame.

- Graduate student Andrea Brändli came up with a big stop on a breakaway in the second to preserve the narrow lead.

- A rush up the left side early in the third produced Cardaci's second goal as Foulem took a pass from Disher and found Cardaci alone in the slot just 69 seconds into the period.

- The hat trick was secured moments later when Disher forced a turnover in the BU zone, allowing Vote to race up the ice and put a puck on net that Cardaci stuffed in off a rebound to compete the hat trick at the 4:40 mark.

- Merrimack ended the shutout bid off a power play as captain Teghan Inglis scored from the right side at 5:54 of the third.

- BU had two late power-play chances but did not add to its 3-1 lead until the final second as freshman Clara Yuhn connected on a long try with Merrimack's goaltender pulled.


GAME NOTES

- BU held a 31-26 shot advantage.

- The Terriers were 0-for-6 on the power play after entering the game successful on five of its past seven tries with the player advantage.

- Brändli finished the night with 25 saves while Calli Hogarth made 27 for the Warriors.

- Cardaci became the first Terrier to record a hat trick since Victoria Bach scored all three goals in a 3-3 tie at Northeastern on Jan. 16, 2018.

- Yuhn won 13 of 15 faceoffs.

- Disher now has five points (1g, 4a) over the past three contests.


UP NEXT

- The Terriers will continue their homestand on Saturday (Jan. 28) against Vermont.

- Game time is set for 3 p.m.