No. 6-ranked BC doubles up BU

Threegoal third lifts Eagles

Friday night was Hannah Bilka’s first introduction to the Boston College-Boston University rivalry. The freshman forward for the Eagles, who leads the nation in rookie scoring, was ready to see what it was all about.

“You don’t really know what the hype is all about until you play in it,” said an excited Bilka. “When we came out, everybody booed us and I loved it.”

Bilka also loved the final score, as her goal and assist helped No. 6 BC (10-1-1) overcome an early deficit and defeat the host Terriers (7-4-1), 4-2, at Walter Brown Arena.

After the Eagles opened the game by lodging five quality shots on a sustained possession in the Terrier zone, BU’s top line took control. Kristina Schuler slapped the puck past the glove of BC goaltender Maddy McArthur to put BU up 1-0 5:22 into the frame.

The Eagles maintained possession in the first. Defender Cayla Barnes sped into the BU zone with the puck, but was boarded by the Terrier’s Jesse Compher, leading to a five-minute power play for BC. Bilka took advantage, shoving the puck past an outstretched Corinne Schroeder to tie the game with 2:41 left in the first.

In the second, the Eagles had a bunch of solid opportunities that were turned away by Schroeder or broken up by the strong Terrier defense. With 8:01 left in the period, BU went on the power play, and took advantage. They peppered McArthur with shots, with one by Schuler crossing the goal line, but bouncing out. When play finally came to a stop on a referee’s whistle a minute later, Schuler’s shot was reviewed and determined to be a goal, giving the Terriers a 2-1 lead.

BC came out of the second intermission fired up and tied it 5:04 into the third. Kelly Browne and Bilka set-up defender Alexie Guay, who tied the game with a sneaky tally on a power play. That momentum continued, and at 7:43 BC took their first lead of the night on Delaney Belinskas’ eighth goal of the season.

McArthur finished the night with 21 saves, while Schroeder had 26.

“We found a way to win,” said BC head coach Katie Crowley.