From near and far, the Women’s Beanpot has special meaning to hockey players who have the chance to play in it. Locals grow up dreaming of a chance to play in the annual tournament, but even from as far away as Mississippi, Beanpot lore lives on.
Molly Slowe grew up following Boston College with the goal of skating for the Eagles. In her third Beanpot championship in 2018, she had a chance to be a main contributor.
"Growing up, I was a BC fan," said Slowe. "My dad went to BC, and I played hockey in the Boston area, so the Beanpot was always something that I followed."
Slowe, a Medfield, Mass., native, was 7 years old when she began playing hockey and had an early start with Noble and Greenough School, joining the team as an eighth-grader.
She’s not the first alum to skate in the Beanpot, with several others, including Becca Gilmore (Wayland, Mass.) at Harvard, making the short trek from Dedham to Boston in their careers.
"I’m friends with all the girls I played with at Nobles; we’re all super close," said Slowe. "I played in middle school all the way up. Several alum have played in the Beanpot, and it’s great to see how everyone is doing."
A three-sport star in high school, also playing lacrosse and field hockey, Slowe began to focus on hockey with it in mind to play locally. In her third Beanpot now, she had a chance to be a part of it on the scoresheet.
On the other end of the spectrum, Boston University defender Reagan Rust had never experienced the Beanpot. That didn’t mean she wasn’t aware of it; one of the deciding factors when she transferred from RIT was the opportunity to play in the famed tournament.
Rust’s Terriers fell to their rival Eagles in the title game, 4-3 in overtime, but it was still an experience Rust was grateful to be a part of.
"I’ve known about it for a long time," said Rust. "I’m a huge hockey fan. Being able to play in it is something I dreamed about, but I never thought I would get to it."
Rust is skating in her first season with the Terriers, and she’s been on the top defense pairing at times. BU has endured its ups and downs this winter, but showed its potential in the high-profile showdown against a strong BC team.
It’s that kind of competition that Rust was looking for when she chose to play in Boston.
"One of my first few thoughts (when I transferred) was, I get to play in the Beanpot now," said Rust. "I was super excited. It was unreal. The championship game was a heartbreaker, but still so fun."
While Rust has been a big part of how the Terriers have operated this season, for the Eagles, Slowe hasn’t seen much time on the ice this season, skating with the fourth line. But when she got out there in the Beanpot title game, she made a difference with a goal, just her second of the season.
"It was awesome," Slowe said. "Every player on our team is skilled enough to make big plays. I was ready to and it was really exciting."
Even in defeat on the other end, Rust appreciated the chance to play in a tournament that’s unique in college sports.
"We were heartbroken, because we could have made history," she said. "But, we can tell we’re a lot closer after it."
Across the street, with a third title in the books, the Eagles turn their sights to more trophies. While Slowe had every reason to be more excited about this Beanpot than others, she just takes it in stride.
"Everyone is the same to me," she said. "They’re all special."
