Box Score (PDF)

ITHACA, N.Y. --- A pair of empty net goals in the waning moments of the game gave No. 2/3 Boston College a 4-1 win over No. 9 Cornell women's hockey Friday night in what was otherwise a tightly contested season opener for the Big Red at Lynah Rink.
 
In a strong first period from the Eagles, junior goaltender Paula Voorheis robbed Makenna Newkirk of a chance before Newkirk netted an unassisted goal just 20 seconds later to give Boston College the lead 6:25 into the game.
 
The Big Red made adjustments between periods and came out stronger in the second, holding the Eagles scoreless and shutting down the potent BC power play unit early in the frame. Voorheis led a strong defense effort, turning away all 17 shots she faced in the second stanza.
 
On the other end of the ice, the Big Red made Eagles goaltender Katie Burt work, rifling off nearly twice as many shots in the second as in the first. One of the team's best chances of the period came when senior Taylor Woods picked off a pass along the boards and fed the puck to junior Hanna Bunton in front of the net. Bunton got the shot off, and Boston College goaltender Katie Burt was unable to cover cleanly, resulting in a scramble in front of the net. Moments later, senior Anna Zorn generated another quality opportunity, redirecting a shot from freshman Lenka Serdar into the breadbasket of Burt.
 
In the third period, Bunton scored the first goal Burt had allowed in over 150 minutes, roofing a shot from the high slot to knot the game at one with 15:10 left to go. Senior Morgan Richardson picked up the assist.
 
Just under five minutes later, Boston College senior Alex Carpenter tallied her 100^th career goal on the power play to regain the lead for the Eagles.
 
A series of BC penalties put Cornell on the power play for over four minutes to close the game, including a three-man advantage when the Big Red pulled Voorheis while the Eagles had two players serving penalties. But Boston College kept its season's perfect penalty kill percentage intact, holding off Cornell and putting away two empty netters to bring the final score to 4-1.
 
Voorheis was stellar in net for the Big Red, posting 40 saves on the night. Freshman Micah Hart had an impressive debut on the blue line, blocking four shots and playing an integral role on the penalty kill. Zorn led the team with four shots on goal.
 
The Big Red gets a shot at redemption tomorrow afternoon, when BC returns to Lynah for a 3 p.m. puck drop. The matchup is Cornell's annual United Way fundraiser game. The United Way of Tompkins County will receive a dollar for every ticket sold and will be raffling off prizes throughout the game.