By Madeline Sattler, News Staff
Another successful season is in the books for the Northeastern women’s ice hockey team, as it finished with a 23-11-2 record and fell just short of making the NCAA tournament.
The Huskies made it to the finals of the Women’s Hockey East Association (WHEA) playoffs for just the second time in school history, but came up on the short-end of a 5-2 score against Boston University and did not take home the title.
“Obviously a disappointing outcome for us,” head coach Dave Flint said after the championship loss. “I have to give credit to my team. They played hard just like they have all year long.”
When the season started, Flint set lofty goals for his team. He wanted to improve on last year’s successes which included a regular season title and a Beanpot championship.
Although the Huskies lost outstanding goaltender Florence Schelling, sophomore Chloe Desjardins and junior Kelsey O’Sullivan stepped up and took over in net for the Huskies.
As a six-time Defensive Player of the Week winner, Desjardins started 30 times and had some great success. She was twice recognized as WHEA Goaltender of the Month and went 9-1 in her last ten starts, a major factor in the Huskies’ playoff run with a 21-9-2 record.
Tough injuries, especially on the defensive side, caused a rough middle portion of the season. But Northeastern regrouped and won its second Beanpot in as many years.
Sophomore forward Kendall Coyne was named tournament MVP for her three goals and two assists in two games. Coyne had a sophomore campaign that included scoring 68 points, which ties her for first in the WHEA. She was unanimously elected to the WHEA First Team All-Stars. The Illinois native scored her 100th career point earlier this year and finished the season marking at least one point in her final 16 games.
Two other Huskies also scored their 100th career points this season. Senior forwards Rachel Llanes and Casey Pickett finished up their Northeastern campaigns this season. Along with Coyne, they were a dangerous scoring threat and were the top three on the team in points scored.
“That line is one of the best lines in college hockey,” Flint said. “They’re so fast and so dynamic.”
Pickett was named to the WHEA second team. Desjardins and junior defender Maggie DiMasi were honorable mention All-Stars.
The Huskies wrapped up the regular season with lots of momentum, winning 10 of their final 11 regular season games skating into the playoffs as the third seeded team.
They took on the University of Vermont at home in the WHEA quarterfinals. The Catamounts scored first, but five unanswered goals by the Huskies punched their ticket to Hyannis. Coyne had a team-high four points while junior forward Kelly Wallace scored twice in the victory.
The WHEA semi-finals matched the Huskies up against No. 2 seeded Boston College. Northeastern came out fast, upsetting the Eagles 4-1. Six Huskies recorded a point each and Desjardins had 34 saves.
The magic didn’t continue in the finals and costly defensive errors helped the Terriers to their second title in as many years. Coyne and Wallace had the two goals in the 5-2 loss.
Because the Huskies lost in the WHEA championships, they couldn’t automatically qualify for the NCAA tournament and their season was over.
“There’s always a subjective component to the committee,” Flint said. “But I think it would take a small miracle for us to get in.”
Despite the sour ending, the Huskies came out with a winning record. They are losing four seniors, but Coyne and Desjardins are returning next year as the Huskies look to to build on this year’s successes.
