The Boston University field hockey team was able to hold the top-ranked University of Maryland Terrapins scoreless through regulation, but ultimately fell, 1-0, in the finals of the Terrapin Invitational in College Park, Md.
The Terriers (3-3), who were coming off a 2-1 win against American University on Friday, used a defensive-minded game plan designed to slow down the Terrapin offense. BU, however, reverted to its struggles offensively against a dominant Maryland defense. The win was the fourth consecutive shutout for the Terps (6-0), who have allowed only two goals in six games this season.
“It was an outstanding defensive performance,” BU coach Sally Starr said. “Susan Harrington was excellent and we played great team defense in front of her.”
Maryland’s sophomore forward Colleen Barbieri broke the tie less than a minute into overtime, firing a shot past senior goalkeeper Harrington, on an assist from senior back Izzy Palmer. For the sixth straight game, Harrington allowed only one goal, but for the third time, it was not enough.
By reconfiguring its press, which consisted of playing as many as six defenders in the Maryland shooting circle, BU cut down on its offensive opportunities. For the second time in three games, the Terriers were held without a shot, and for the first time all year they did not even attempt a penalty corner.
On the other hand, Maryland had 19 shots, seven of those on goal, and 12 penalty corners. Harrington, who made seven saves, and a strong defense were able to prevent the Terrapins from scoring in regulation.
The win gave Maryland its sixth straight Terrapin Invitational championship.
Despite the disappointing loss to the Terps, Starr and her players considered the trip to Maryland a great success. The weekend gave the young Terriers a chance to come together on and off the field as they spent four days together during a competitive tournament.
“We had a great weekend,” Starr said. “Coming off a disappointing loss to BC the trip came at the perfect time.”
On Friday, in the first round of the Invitational, the Terriers had a much easier time with American University than they did two nights earlier against the Boston College.
BU was able to break its two-game long scoring drought behind goals from junior midfielder Dalinda Banuelos and freshman forward Caitlyn Cassara. Banuelos scored the only goal of the first half, converting on a penalty shot at 31:52. Cassara provided the necessary insurance less than four minutes into the second half with her first collegiate goal.
Unlike the Maryland game, the Terriers took 10 shots and attempted eight penalty corners. American had eight of its 11 corners in the first half, but Harrington and a strong penalty corner defense prevented the Eagles from getting on the board.
“We played OK, but not great [against American],” Starr said. “The problem with a young team is that sometimes you play to the level of your opponent, but I expect that to change as the year goes on.”
Fifteen minutes later, American’s Magdelena Aguilar ruined Harrington’s shutout bid with a goal at 53:15.
Starr now hopes the competitive game against No.1 Maryland will help the Terriers as they return home to play Dartmouth College on Tuesday.
“We played with a higher intensity level and are attacking and playing as a team,” Starr said. “Hopefully, that will carry over into practice and the game against Dartmouth.”
After Dartmouth, the team will be hitting the road again to face the University of Michigan, the second Final Four team they will play in a week. Everything the team learned will be put to the test against the Wolverines, who are currently ranked third nationally.