Against the best, the Boston University women’s lacrosse team didn’t run for cover. It came out swinging.
But on two occasions against quality opponents this past weekend, it was just unable to land the knockout punch.
The Terriers (2-3, 0-0 America East) played well but lost non-conference games last weekend at No. 1 Loyola College in Maryland (6-0) by a score of 9-5, and at George Mason University (3-3, 0-1 Colonial Athletic Association), 11-8. Despite the two losses, redshirt junior attacker and co-captain Caroline Kelleher was pleased with her team’s performance.
‘Overall, the team effort was unbelievable,’ Kelleher said. ‘We did really well.’
On Friday afternoon in Baltimore, the Terriers, for the first time in program history, stepped onto the field with the No. 1 team in the nation in Loyola. The Greyhounds started the season undefeated with impressive wins over the University of North Carolina and Princeton University, but they didn’t find the going so easy with BU.
After nine minutes of scoreless play, junior attacker and leading Greyhound scorer Rachel Shuck netted her twelfth goal of the season to put Loyola up 1-0. The Terriers, however, were quick to respond.
Undaunted on the big stage against the best team in the nation, BU freshman Danica Strutt tied the game less than one minute later, showing Loyola that the Terriers were in Baltimore to win. Kelleher said that Strutt’s goal gave BU some confidence.
‘It was a reassurance when we scored the first goal,’ the junior said. ‘We didn’t think about [Loyola] as the number one team.
‘We just played our game.’
The No. 1 Greyhounds answered the challenge as a top team should, scoring four unanswered goals in the next eight minutes. All four Loyola tallies came courtesy of freshman attacker Sydney Green, who would end the game leading all scorers with six goals.
At halftime the Greyhounds held a 6-2 advantage, limiting the Terriers to only three shots and forcing nine BU turnovers.
Loyola kept the pressure on in the second half, increasing its lead to 8-2. The Greyhounds looked as if they were ready to end all hopes for the Terriers, but BU responded once again.
Strutt, Kelleher and freshman attacker Mary Beth Miller each netted goals for BU to make the score 8-5, bringing the Terriers to within three scores of the best team in the land. Loyola, though, would dismiss any thoughts of a Terrier upset when sophomore midfielder Stephanie Walker scored the final goal of the game, capping the Greyhounds’ 9-5 triumph over the Terriers.
Amidst the loss, sophomore goalkeeper Anne Sheridan shined for BU, making 20 saves and tying the single-game program record. The contest was especially meaningful to Sheridan, who is from the Baltimore area and played in front of a hometown crowd. Kelleher had nothing but praise for the sophomore.
‘[Sheridan] had an unbelievable game against Loyola,’ Kelleher said. ‘She’s proved that she can be one of the top goalies in the nation.’
The Terriers were forced to bounce back quickly from the Loyola loss, as they stayed on the road and traveled south to Fairfax, Va. to play George Mason on Sunday.
BU fell behind early, trailing 3-0 just seven minutes into the game on Patriot goals from sophomore attacker Kristy Manas and junior midfielders Stacy Berger and Lisa Hagen.
BU found itself down 4-1 with time winding down in the first half, but just as they did against Loyola, the Terriers responded and dominated the balance of the play before intermission.
Miller scored twice while Kelleher, freshman attacker Lindsay Lewis and sophomore midfielder Alyssa Trudel each added a goal as BU outscored the Patriots 5-1 to close out the half and take a 6-5 lead into the break.
The BU momentum continued in the second half as Strutt and Kelleher each scored again to increase the Terrier lead to 8-5. Unfortunately for BU, George Mason unleashed a six-goal explosion over the final 28 minutes of the game to clinch the 11-8 win and send BU to its second straight loss. Kelleher said BU had its chances down the stretch.
‘[George Mason] just came out on fire in the second half,’ the co-captain said. ‘We had opportunities, but we just couldn’t put the ball in the net.’
Against some tough opponents, the Terriers are learning that they do belong on the same field with teams such as Loyola and George Mason, but they recognize that there is still some work to be done to turn these defeats into victories.
‘They’re great learning experiences for us,’ Kelleher said, speaking about games against top opponents. ‘It’s great that we have a tough schedule because it gets us ready for the conference games.
‘I think we’re only going to get better.’
The tough non-conference schedule continues for the Terriers, who take on No. 13 Yale University on Wednesday. Kelleher said that her team looks forward to another game against a ranked squad.
‘Coming out on Wednesday, we’re going to come out fired up to beat a ranked team and prove what BU lacrosse is all about.’