The University of Maine’s women’s ice hockey team was picked to finish seventh among the eight teams in Hockey East in the coaches’ preseason poll.
But the Black Bears will enter Friday’s 5 p.m. game at Alfond Arena in Orono against the nation’s top-ranked Boston College Eagles in second place behind the Eagles.
One of the primary reasons for Maine’s 6-2-1 start in league play (7-8-2 overall) has been goalie Meghann Treacy.
The 5-foot-9 Treacy, who was named the league’s Goaltender of the Month for November, will enter the game with a 1.97 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. Her save percentage is 11th best in the country.
“I was always intrigued by her when she played at Williston Northampton [School in Massachusetts],” said Boston University coach Brian Durocher. “She was always big and athletic, but her technique needed to be tweaked, and Maine has done a great job refining it. It has made a huge difference.”
Durocher added that Treacy’s improvement was noticeable last year, “but she has taken it to another level this year, and that’s a credit to her.”
Providence College coach Bob Deraney said Treacy has “really given them stability.”
Treacy is a senior but has another year of eligibility after redshirting as a freshman.
She has held opponents to one goal or less in five of her starts.
Treacy backed up Brittany Ott in her first two seasons before replacing Ott a year ago and posting a 3.03 GAA and a .907 save percentage to go with a 5-18-4 record.
“I learned a lot last year and brought it into this year,” said Treacy, a native of Lake Peekskill, New York. “I’ve been happy with my play, but we wouldn’t be where we are if the team hadn’t played so well in front of me. They have definitely saved me some goals.”
Treacy feels she has been more consistent.
“She has spent most of the last two summers here working out with our strength and conditioning coaches, and it has paid off,” Maine coach Richard Reichenbach said. “She has played really well.”
Treacy and the Black Bears, which have allowed just 14 goals in league play, will face a 15-0-1 BC team (9-0 in Hockey East) that is seeking a school-record 14th straight win and is leading the nation with a 5.81 goals-per game average.
Center and 2014 United States Olympian Alex Carpenter (17 goals, 22 assists) and linemate Haley Skarupa (14 & 19) are the nation’s top two scorers, and freshman Kenzie Kent (4 & 14) is the third member of the nation’s most prolific line.
Carpenter is the daughter of former NHLer Bobby Carpenter.
“They’re so fast and they have so much individual skill. It’ll be interesting,” said Treacy, who said she had always wanted to be a goalie.