The 2012 Boston University field hockey team has faced adversity all season, whether in the form of injuries, overcoming deficits or even poor officiating. However, BU coach Sally Starr’s team has overcome many of the obstacles it has been presented.
Unfortunately for the Terriers, another challenge has emerged. The Terriers have to try and finish the season on a strong note without two talented players, junior Madeline Hackett and senior Jacinda McLeod. Both players suffered injuries during the team’s game Friday against the No. 22 University of New Hampshire.
McLeod suffered a career-ending knee injury after an opposing player took out her leg from behind. Later in the game, the same New Hampshire player that hurt McLeod caused Hackett to go into a somersault, giving her a season-ending concussion.
BU (10–6, 3–1 America East) has already taken a big step towards continuing its season without these two starters by upsetting No. 10 Northeastern University on Sunday afternoon.
Full-Time Goalie
Up until the New Hampshire game, sophomore netminder Valentina Cerda Eimbcke typically started the first half for the Terriers with senior Jess Maroney entering in the second half and closing out the game in net.
Going into the final stretch of the season, Starr named Maroney the starter. Against UNH on Friday night, Maroney only allowed one goal after saving two.
“We’re blessed to have two good goalies,” Starr said. “Jess hadn’t had the opportunity to start and unfortunately with some games we weren’t scoring early and were being scored upon in the first half. With a game like this and particularly the way [Northeastern] runs their offense, Jess’ style of play is better for our defense.”
On Sunday she had another stellar performance, saving 12-of-15 shots. One of the three goals she allowed was on a penalty shot that barely made it over her outstretched glove.
So far this season Maroney has made 56 saves over the course of 15 games and allowed only 12 goals, making her one of the top goalies in the country at the moment.
(Whistle)-Blowing the Game
For the second time this season, officiating has caused some drama for the Terriers. The first time came against the No. 4 University of Connecticut on Sept. 30.
Tensions ran high in that game as the coaches and fans began to get upset with the lack of calls the referees were making in favor of BU. In regards to the officiating after this loss, Starr simply said “It was a tough game.”
On Sunday afternoon, the officiating seemed to strike a nerve during the team’s double-overtime upset victory over No. 10 Northeastern.
“I think it had a huge impact. There were game-changing calls that really could have impacted this game,” Starr said on Sunday. “I think I would have cried if we lost this game because I really felt that the officiating was that poor.”
An example of the impact of the officiating on Sunday came in the first minute of the second overtime when junior Ella Gunson ripped through Northeastern’s defense, setting up Nicole Van Oosterom for the game-winning goal. As the ball rolled into the net, a penalty was called rather than the advantage being held, which would have resulted with a game-winning goal much earlier than Ella Gunson’s game-winner that came later, in the 93rd minute.
Postseason Hunting
After two consecutive losses, one to the unranked Hofstra University and the other to No. 22 New Hampshire, many would not have expected the Terriers to rebound the way they did against Northeastern.
Even as their dream of making this year’s NCAA tournament via an at-large bid was coming to an end, the Terriers dug in and upset their cross-town opponents.
“When we came home from Hofstra we had a long talk about finding the ‘on’ switch and keeping the ‘on’ switch on,” Starr said on Sunday. “They found the ‘on’ switch today and we just have to continue this on Saturday against Fairfield.”
The Terriers found the “on” switch early Sunday, and it showed in the first few minutes of the game as freshman forward Sofi Laurito scored her first career goal and the game’s first goal in the third minute.
As long as the Terriers continue to play with this skill and intensity in their final two games, they have a good shot of grabbing an at-large bid in this year’s NCAA tournament.
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