The field hockey team will face a trap game Saturday against a hungry, but weak UNH squad. Shannon ReedThe Boston University field hockey team barely even has time to gloat after winning three in a row with its last win coming against a nationally ranked opponent before it goes back onto the field to defend its winning streak.
This weekend the red-hot Terriers hit the road, looking to maintain the high level at which they’ve been playing the past few games. The team will square off with conference opponent University of New Hampshire Saturday, and will head down to Rhode Island Sunday to face Brown University.
“We continue to take things one practice at a time and one game at a time,” said BU coach Sally Starr.
UNH is having a less-than-stellar season thus far, sporting a 1-8 record on the year. The Wildcats were slotted to finish third in the America East coaches’ preseason poll, but they have had a tough time putting things together, and will be looking to excel in conference play to resuscitate their season.
In contrast to the Terriers, the Wildcats are losers of their last three games, with their most recent loss coming at the hands of No. 14 Indiana University.
“They’re a young team and it may take them a little longer to put it all together,” Starr said. “But I’ve seen them three times now and every time I see them they’re a little bit better than the last time.”
Saturday’s game-the first of conference play for both teams-will certainly be one the Wildcats are gunning to win.
“Their conference is their season,” Starr said. “It’s really the only way for them to save their season, so they are going to want to do well.”
The Terriers cannot underestimate the Wildcats’ determination. Despite their subpar season, they have the materials to put together a strong attack.
“We as a coaching staff respect what they can do as a team,” Starr said. “They are a very good 1-8 team and I do not anticipate a letdown at all. Their record does not equate to the talent on that team.”
The importance of this conference game also cannot be understated for the Terriers. The America East conference provides BU’s ticket to the NCAA Tournament, and every conference win gets them that much closer to their ultimate goal at the end of the season.
“We want to do well in our conference games during the season, so hopefully we get to host the America East conference tournament,” Starr said. “Winning these games on the road is critical.”
Sunday, the team heads south to take on Brown in what looks to be an evenly-matched contest for the Terriers.
The Bears (5-2) will certainly look to use their home field to their advantage against the Terriers. The field, which actually sits atop a roof, is a very difficult place for opponents to play and BU will have to overcome that disadvantage to pull out a victory.
“Brown is a very talented team,” Starr said. “They play very tough on their home field. It is very narrow and it’s a tough place to play well.”
Brown is coming off a tough overtime loss to Northeastern University-a team that the Terriers shut out 1-0 just a week ago. However, the Bears are a very competitive team, returning 15 letter-winners and six starters from last year’s squad-its most successful team in six years.
“I think it’s going to be a very evenly matched game,” Starr said. “They have talented athletes and they are well coached.”
Coming out of this weekend with a 2-0 record would certainly be a huge boost to the Terriers, who had some struggles putting wins together early in the season. Rolling off five wins in a row couldn’t hurt a team that is on the verge of getting very hot.
“The focus and intensity has really risen on the team lately-we are very focused on getting better,” Starr said.
“We have to deal with Saturday’s game first and then get ourselves focused for a competitive match on Sunday.”
