Winning and losing streaks are expected over the course of any season. But consistently alternating stretches of ineptitude and efficiency? Not so much.
The 2007 Boston University lacrosse season has featured pronounced peaks and valleys through just eight games, more than likely due to the team’s inexperience. In just more than five weeks of play, BU has already experienced the pains of a three-game losing skid (March 17-25) and is currently riding a two-game win streak following a pair of victories at Nickerson Field last week.
Fresh off a convincing 15-7 victory against the University of Maryland-Baltimore County in Saturday’s America East opener, the Terriers (4-4) seek to continue their winning ways this afternoon in a non-conference tilt against Harvard University (2-6) in the final leg of a four-game homestand.
BU’s play at Nickerson — while dominant in past years — hasn’t exactly been advantageous this season, with only a 3-2 record so far. Still, the Terriers’ recent home wins might suggest the freshman-laden squad’s growing confidence playing in front of the home crowd.
“We want to protect our house, as people say,” said BU coach Liz Robertshaw. “But what’s been even better is [the players’] comfort level on the field . . . they’re protecting each other. Whether we’re home or away, that’s how we want to play. Previous [BU] teams might have said, ‘We want to play this way at home,’ but we want to play well everywhere.”
BU’s win streak can be attributed to improvement in several areas, most notably on defense and their ability to limit turnovers.
“Our communication [on defense] has gotten a lot better,” Robertshaw said. “The girls trust each other more and more. The motto of our team right now is protecting each other — and that’s something our defenders take to heart.
“We’re starting to recognize our strengths on the field,” she added about the club’s limited giveaways. “We’re taking better and smarter chances instead of just chucking the ball and hoping someone catches it. Getting more comfortable with each other on the field has helped us limit our turnovers.”
The main reason for the club’s resurgence, though, has been the play of the Terrier defenders, notably goalkeeper Jenna Golden. The junior netminder, who was named America East Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, held Boston College and UMBC to seven goals apiece last week. Her stalwart defense allowed BU attackers to erupt for 24 goals in the two contests. While lacking the mobility of other goalkeepers, the second-year starter has done a superb job positioning herself for incoming shots.
“Jenna [has] made some fantastic saves to help the defense out,” Robertshaw said. “I think she can still get better — she hasn’t peaked. We’ve encouraged her to keep improving.
“I hope the [AE accolade] gives her a little more swagger in the goal cage,” she continued. “It’s a credit to our entire defense that they worked hard [in last week’s games]. Jenna’s earned it — it’s not an easy award to get.”
Golden’s skills should be put to the test once again this afternoon against a trio of high-scoring Crimson attackers. Juniors Caroline Simmons and Natalie Curtis and sophomore
Kaitlin Martin have combined for 48 tallies this season, serving as the lone bright spots on a Harvard team currently mired in a three-game losing streak. Inside the cage, rookie goalkeeper Katherine Martino offers little support for her offense, allowing more than 16 goals per game.
“They’re very quick going to the goal in transition,” Robertshaw said. “We’ll get back-doored if we’re not careful. They have three very good attackers [Curtis, Martin and Simmons], and a couple defenders who, if our attackers let loose a little bit, can take advantage of mistakes.”
Robertshaw said she views the game as another opportunity to solidify BU’s status as the city’s premier lacrosse program.
“This is still the battle of Boston,” she said. “We had a nice outcome against BC — and now we have Harvard. [Harvard] is always a tough game.”
After piecing together a flawless first half against UMBC, the Terriers turned out a disappointing second-half effort, allowing six Retriever goals over the final 30 minutes. The team’s overconfidence — as Robertshaw describes it — while not usual for an inexperienced team, could be a cause for concern as BU enters the heart of its America East schedule this weekend.
“Nobody thought we were going to lose that game,” Robertshaw said of Saturday’s victory. “But unfortunately, we played [overconfidently] in the second half. I want us to fight the entire game until we bury our opponent.”