The Boston University lacrosse team continues to steamroll over America East competition, with the latest win coming Saturday over the University of Vermont, 15-8, at Nickerson Field. The No. 11 Terriers broke the game open with 13 first-half goals before stalling in the second half to coast to the victory.
The win was the fifth straight for a Terrier squad (7-2, 3-0 AE) that is improving with every game and playing well on both ends of the field. Even with a frustrating second half, during which BU’s normally explosive attack struggled to generate offense, the Terriers still managed to distance themselves from yet another conference foe eager to knock off the top dogs. Though the game was never in jeopardy, BU’s second-half performance left a lot to be desired.
“I have mixed emotions about the win. The attack and the defense we showed in the first half was good, it was aggressive. But I was not happy with the way we finished the game,” said BU coach Liz Robertshaw. “There was poor shooting, poor attacking discipline and a little bit of franticness on the defensive end.”
Saturday marked the first televised lacrosse game in Terrier history, as viewers tuned in to CN8 to catch a high-scoring affair. Led by senior co-captain Lauren Morton, who tied her career high with five goals, and a big performance from sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Klein (10 saves), the Terriers kept the Catamounts at bay throughout. Junior Sarah Dalton added four goals – a mark she has reached in each game of the five-game winning streak – while sophomore Erica Baumgartner chipped in with two goals and a pair of helpers.
BU played an excellent first half, capitalizing on every opportunity to separate itself from Vermont (5-4, 2-1) by the end of the period. After allowing a goal by Kristen Millar at 28:47 – just the second time this season the Terriers surrendered the game’s first tally – BU rattled off six straight scores to thwart Vermont’s advances.
The Terrier offense used crisp passing to set up its early goals, but it was Morton who kicked the attack into high gear in the first period. With a 2-1 lead, Morton controlled the ball for three straight possessions, charging through defenders and sending low shots on UVM senior goalkeeper Meaghan Hanley. In a span of less than four minutes, Morton scored three unassisted goals which put the Terriers in the driver’s seat.
“I’m happy that we’re showing we can score goals throughout conference play. We’re putting up some numbers,” Robertshaw said. “We haven’t peaked yet, but I’m excited about some of the potential that I see right now.”
Thirty minutes into action, BU’s relentless attack had built a 13-3 lead, and it looked as if a major blowout was looming. It was an entirely different story once the second stanza opened, as the Terriers were reminded that 60 minutes of disciplined lacrosse is the only way to keep their coach content.
“A lot of times in the players’ heads they feel they can just do what they’ve done in the first half and that teams aren’t going to make adjustments. But good teams are, and Vermont did,” Robertshaw said. “Instead of rising to the challenge, our players shrank a little bit.”
BU looked sluggish on the attack in the second half, unable to find the cage with the ease it experienced earlier in the contest. With the offensive pace slowed considerably, the Terriers struggled to control the game and played into Vermont’s style.
The Catamounts scored two quick goals to start the half and began to gain momentum. BU continued to fire shots on net, but Hanley repeatedly turned away scoring chances, amassing seven second-half saves.
“If we want to continue to win and do well, we cannot have another second half like that,” Robertshaw said.
Despite a lackluster second half, there is no denying that the Terriers’ talent puts them among the nation’s best teams. If BU can eliminate the breakdowns that occurred in Saturday’s second half, its winning streak could continue for quite some time.
“Do I think we’re capable of going on a run? Absolutely,” Robertshaw said. “But we have to focus on playing a full 60 minutes of lacrosse for us to get better.”