BOSTON UNIVERSITY TOPS NIAGARA, 3-1
Jenn Wakefield, Kayla Tutino and Kathryn Miller each post two points for Terriers

Junior defenseman Kathryn Miller had two assists for the Terriers

BOSTON - Freshman forward Kayla Tutino collected her first two collegiate points, including her first goal as a Terrier, to help lead the No. 4 Boston University women's ice hockey team past Niagara, 3-1, on Friday night at Walter Brown Arena.

Senior forwards Jenn Wakefield and Jenelle Kohanchuk each potted a goal, with Kohanchuk's being the game-winner. Wakefield added an assist for her second multi-point game of the year. Junior defenseman Kathryn Miller added two assists for her fifth career multi-point contest. Sophomore goaltender Kerrin Sperry made 18 saves to preserve the win.

Niagara struck first when freshman Kayla Raniwsky sneaked the puck past Sperry after a scramble in front of the net. Sophomore Natasha Fryer and freshman Kalli Funk added the assists on Raniwsky's first collegiate goal.

Sperry made five saves in the first frame, but none was bigger than a stop on Fryer with almost 11 minutes gone in the period. Fryer received a pass between the circles, but Sperry stuck her right pad out to deny Fryer.

BU did well to keep the Niagara power play off the board, as the Terrier penalty killers denied the Purple Eagles on each of their three player-advantage opportunities in the second stanza. Wakefield, Tutino and Taylor Holze combined to nearly tie the game for BU while shorthanded, but were unable to light the lamp. Overall, the Terriers held Niagara scoreless on its six power play chances.

The Terriers, however, capitalized on their only full power play of the second period when Wakefield evened the score at the 14:12 mark. She and Miller did well to keep the puck in the offensive end, with the puck finally landing on the senior captain's stick. Wakefield walked to the top of the left circle and sent a wrist shot high to Sarah Moses' (32 saves) blocker side and into the back of the net. It was Wakefield's third goal of the season, with Miller and Tutino each picking up an assist. For Tutino, it was her first collegiate point.

The game remained tied, 1-1, entering the third period, and it wasn't until the 14:57 mark that the Terriers broke the deadlock. Miller sent an outlet pass to Kohanchuk, who entered the zone with Wakefield. Kohanchuk slid a pass to Wakefield, who returned the favor to an open Kohanchuk, who beat Moses for her second goal of the season.

Niagara had a good chance to even the score as the Purple Eagles earned a power play opportunity at the 15:27 mark of the stanza. However, it was BU that ultimately capitalized. Junior Isabel Menard raced into the offensive zone and put a shot on Moses, which was saved. Tutino followed up on the rebound, however, and slotted the puck past Moses. With her assist, Menard now has a point in each of her first three tilts with the Terriers.

BU and Niagara will face off again at Walter Brown Arena on Saturday at 3 p.m.