The Wildcats concluded their regular season package of games against the No. 6 Boston College Eagles on Friday and Saturday night. UNH dropped both games.Friday night’s matchup ended 5-1 in favor of the Eagles. Saturday night, the Eagles tallied more on the ‘Cats that resulted in a 7-1 rout.
Meghara McManus was the only goal-scorer for the Wildcats in game one. She was able to give the ‘Cats their only lead of the game at 4:44 in the first period. It was McManus’ fifth goal of the season.
“We just love that kid, she grinds it out, she’s got a heart of gold,” head coach Hilary Witt said. “She loves to play and she’s got good hockey IQ. She’s a kid we couldn’t be happier to have.”
The Wildcats were then overwhelmed with an offensive effort by the Eagles, beginning in the second period. Caitlyn Lonergan and Makenna Newkirk added their tallies to give Boston College the lead at 7:18 in the second period.
In a recurring trend this season, the ‘Cats struggled to maintain momentum in the third period. The Eagles poured it on with three additional goals to seal the 5-1 victory for the Eagles, their second win over the Wildcats this season.
Witt noted that health was a problem going into Friday’s matchup, and that the ‘Cats battled despite not being fully healthy.
“We’re getting a little thin with injuries and illness, the kids did everything they could,” Witt said. “They’re fighting a little bit with the health things right now but I’m really proud of the fight they had.”
Abby Chapman recorded her first career point with an assist as the Wildcats fell again on Saturday to Boston College 7-1.
The Eagles have improved to 9-3-2, 8-2-0 in Hockey East on the season and with their home win at Conte Forum on Saturday afternoon, they have swept UNH of the three-game season series.
Carlee Toews recorded her third goal of the season while scoring UNH’s lone goal of the afternoon. Toews now has six points on the season with three assists. She’s now second to Jonna Curtis leading the team with 13 points on the season .
UNH has now lost three consecutive games, being outscored 14-3 in the process. In that span, two of the ‘Cats losses fell at home at the Whittemore Center.
The ‘Cats will return to the Whittemore Center for their next matchup on Tuesday night against another struggling team in Harvard.
Harvard, 1-5 on the season, takes on a UNH team that is 3-10 overall on the year and 3-5 in Hockey East.
With both teams facing losing streaks, Tuesday’s matchup should be a tight game with both groups fighting for much needed points. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
