The Boston University lacrosse team will host No. 9 Dartmouth College at Nickerson Field on Wednesday looking to bring its record up to .500. The Terriers are coming off a 15-11 loss to No. 20 College of William & Mary on Saturday and are looking to get back on track.
The defending America East champion Terriers (1-2) have started the season against tough opponents – that road will only get tougher against Dartmouth.
“Obviously it is a big challenge,” BU coach Liz Robertshaw said. “We are going to need to really work on getting the ball in our sticks and be better than we were against William & Mary at draw controls and possession time so we can limit the amount of time Dartmouth has it.”
The Big Green (3-0, 1-0 Ivy) have been dominant defensively, only allowing an average of 6.33 goals per game. This is partly due to freshman goalkeeper Kristen Giovanniello, who has made 27 saves so far this season.
“If we can get our attack really moving and really change the point with good hard challenges with good hard ball movement, I think we can put ourselves in a better position to score some goals,” Robertshaw said.
BU has averaged 12.67 goals per game so far this season. The Terriers have shot the ball very effectively, as well, with a shooting percentage over 50 percent.
“I have been pleased with how many goals we have scored in the past couple games. I think we are getting some confidence there,” Robertshaw said. “Everyone has to step up, everyone has to be a threat tomorrow, and everyone has to stick to the game plan.”
One player who has been very effective on the offensive end has been sophomore attack Danielle Etrasco, who was recently named America East Player of the Week. The Massapequa, N.Y. native has totaled 16 points this season from 11 goals and five assists, including a seven-goal performance against Brown University.
“This is the Danielle that we expect, and I want to see her continue with that,” Robertshaw said. “I know that now she is going to be in more mark-up situations where people are going to be heavy doubling, so we will see how she rises to that challenge.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Kim Elsworth has been getting the starts for the Terriers up to this point in the season, but has been working well with freshman backup Christina Sheridan in sharing time. The tandem has combined for 25 saves this season, and has been a solid last line of defense.
“It is a great position that we are in to have two goalies that are competing for spots and both playing well,” Robertshaw said. “We can play either of them. If Christina starts the game, Kim is ready to go and she is going to make big saves. If Kim starts, Christina is ready to go for the same thing.”
BU’s stiff competition early in its schedule is contributing to a slow start, but may be useful in the long-term for the team.
“I think for us to go up against top competition, it shows our faults and it shows our weaknesses early so we can make adjustments,” Robertshaw said. “I think when you play those better teams, that is where you learn and that is how you get ready for conference play.”
BU has the home field advantage against Dartmouth on Wednesday, and will look to knock off one of the nation’s toughest teams. However, just because the Terriers are at home does not mean this game will be any easier for them.
“Playing at home, playing away, wherever you play Dartmouth it is a battle,” Robertshaw said. “It is nice for us to play at home, we like Nickerson, but I think it is just something that wherever you play Dartmouth it is going to be a difficult game.”
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