Harvard Claims Beanpot Title
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BOSTON -- Sarah Wilson scored a goal and added an assist and Anna McDonald collected two assists to lead No. 1 Harvard to its 12th Women's Beanpot championship with a 3-1 victory over Boston University Tuesday evening at Walter Brown Arena.
Wilson was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player after scoring three points, a goal and two assists, in Harvard's two victories during the Beanpot.
Three minutes into the game, Harvard (23-1-0, 18-0-0 ECAC Hockey) dumped the puck into the Boston University zone and quickly recovered to set up the Crimson's first goal. Wilson and McDonald played the puck behind the Terrier net and found Liza Ryabkina in front for the freshman's eighth tally of the season, as Harvard grabbed a 1-0 lead at 3:23.
The Crimson offense continued to press in the opening 20 minutes, setting up additional quality scoring chances. Midway through the frame, Katharine Chute, the defending ECAC Rookie of the Week, took a diving shot from the left of the crease, but Boston University's Allyse Wilcox made a sprawling save to keep the Terriers within one score.
Harvard almost notched its second tally when McDonald deflected a shot from the blue line, but Wilcox used her pads to push aside the puck.
With 5:43 remaining in the first, Terrier defender Amanda Shaw moved the puck to center ice, sneaked through the defense and broke in alone on Crimson goaltender Christina Kessler. Shaw faked a move to her left and then tried a backhand shot, which Kessler snared with her glove.
Boston University (12-13-3) was called for a checking penalty with 55 seconds left on the clock in the first. The Crimson was not able to score in the final minute of the period, but did capitalize on the extra skater-advantage in the opening moments of the second, when Caitlin Cahow took the national lead with her 10th power-play goal of the season.
Jenny Brine, who scored two goals in the opening round of the Beanpot against Northeastern, pushed the puck into the slot. Cahow one-timed the puck to give the Crimson a 2-0 lead at 0:25. Sarah Vaillancourt was credited with a secondary assist.
The Terriers struck back with their own power-play score at 3:34 on a shot in front of the net by Jonnie Bloemers. Jillian Kirchner and Lauren Cherewyk passed the puck through a scrum of players before Bloemers chipped the puck into the net to cut Harvard's lead in half.
"Boston University played a great game tonight," said Harvard head coach Katey Stone. 'They made us work for every inch, and thankfully, we were able to get a few more inches than they did."
At 13:14, Wilson netted the Crimson's third goal on a 4-on-4 situation, as she scored on a backhand attempt. After receiving a pass from McDonald, Wilson fired stick side on a one-timer to light the lamp.
With three minutes remaining in the second, Cahow almost recorded another power-play goal, but Wilcox made a save with her left skate against the pipe to close the door.
After 40 minutes of play, Harvard headed into the locker room with a 24-15 advantage in shots.
Boston University had several chances in front of Kessler midway through the third period, but Cherewyk and Gina Kearns could not get the puck through the sophomore goalie. The Crimson defense buckled down in the final minutes, as Kessler made 12 saves in the third period to preserve the 3-1 victory.
"The Beanpot was a huge goal for us from day one and to be able to grab two wins in this tournament is a tough thing to do," Cahow said.
Kessler finished the game with 23 stops, while Wilcox turned side 34 Harvard shots. Kessler made 41 saves during the two Beanpot contests and was honored with the Joe Bertagna Award, given to the tournament's best goaltender.
Tuesday's meeting was only the second between the two schools in the Beanpot finals, as Harvard defeated Boston University, 2-1, in 1982's title game. The Crimson improved to 13-1 overall against the Terriers in the tournament.
This is Harvard's first Beanpot title since 2005 when the Crimson defeated Boston College, 6-1. Harvard downed Northeastern, 3-1, in the opening round of this year's tournament to reach the finals.
Brine, McDonald and Wilson all finished the tournament with three points to lead the Crimson in scoring. Brine tallied two goals and one assist, and McDonald assisted on three scores.
With a seven-point lead and four games remaining in the ECAC, Harvard will look to clinch its fifth regular-season conference championship next weekend as the Crimson travel to Princeton and Quinnipiac.
