Harvard upsets No. 13 Boston College in women’s Beanpot consolation game

The first women’s Beanpot hockey game played on TD Garden ice was decided in a shootout.

Harvard junior right-wing Gabi Davidson-Adams scored the only goal in the shootout to secure a upset victory over No. 13 Boston College in the consolation game of the 45th Dunkin Women’s Beanpot tournament after the teams were 2-2 tied at the end of regulation and overtime.

Harvard goalie Emily Davidson, who made her second career start, stoned BC left wing Kara Goulding on the Eagles’ fourth and final bid. Harvard improved to 6-16-1 while BC dropped to 13-8-4.

“It felt like we got better and better as it went and we were just willing to work a find a way,” said Harvard first-year coach Laura Bellamy. “It was a really neat environment, the first women’s college hockey game at the TD Garden and we are proud to be the winners of it.

“It was neat to have a shootout at the end and the lower bowl was full and it was loud. It was a great game and a great win for us.”

Harvard first line center Shannon Hollands had just gotten lugged to the cooler for holding when Sophie Ensley put the Crimson up 2-1 with a shorthanded goal at 8:51 of the third. The sophomore left wing from Sudbury broke in alone and beat BC goalie Grace Campbell with a wrist shot top shelf to the glove side for her second of the season.

“I had a breakaway before and missed it, so I knew to fake a little bit and then go to the glove side,” said Ensley.

BC killed off a 5-on-3 over 1:21 late in the third to keep it a one-goal game with under seven minutes to play. Campbell had been summoned to the bench for a sixth skater just seconds before freshman right wing Sammy Taber of Tewksbury potted the equalizer with a wrist shot from close quarters at 18:04 to force the overtime.

“She (Taber) is a special hockey player and being a freshman and being able to put that puck in with the pressure on her,” said BC coach Katie Crowley.

Both the Crimson and the Eagles made competitive showings in the semifinal matches played Harvard’s Bright Arena. The Boston University Terriers prevailed 1-0 in an overtime shootout against BC in a game that was tied 3-3 at the end of regulation. The reigning champion Northeastern Huskies beat Harvard 1-0 to advance to the final against the Terriers.

“It’s been a great Beanpot and all the games have been close and fun,” said Bellamy. “For our team, I’m just so proud of our effort and it was gutsy one and we found a way.”

Campbell had a few anxious moments in the first period, but Davidson stood up under several withering onslaughts around her crease by the Eagles’ forwards.

BC scored first goal on a coordinated rush into the Harvard zone. Freshman defenseman Molly Jordan made a rush down the left boards and made a tape-to-tape pass across the high slot to Sidney Fess in the right circle. The senior right wing quickly assessed her situation before unleashing a rising wrist shot that beat Davidson top shelf to the glove side for her fourth of the season.

Harvard failed to capitalize on two power play opportunities inside the opening five minutes of the second period. Undeterred, Harvard upped the pressure and tied the game even strength on a hustle play by junior center Eva Dorr at 10:22.

Freshman left wing Brooke Manning of Marshfield made a drop pass to Dorr, who lofted a knuckleball at the BC cage from the left circle. Campbell failed to clear the rebound and Dorr flicked the loose puck inside the far post for her second of the season. Campbell made amends with several outstanding in the final minutes as Harvard outshot BC, 19-11, in the frame.

 

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