Every once in a while a team can encounter a letdown after a big win. Just three days after the No. 10 Boston University women’s soccer team defeated a nationally ranked and previously unbeaten University of Maine, the Terriers struggled to a 0-0 tie against the University of Vermont Sunday afternoon.
Despite playing the game in a driving rain in Burlington, Vt., BU (9-2-2, 2-0-1 AE) still headed into yesterday’s game against the Catamounts (3-6-2, 1-1-1) as the favorites, having beaten its last four opponents by a combined score of 6-1.
“The conditions were pretty rotten,” said BU coach Nancy Feldman said. “It was raining steadily until about halfway through the game. It was a clean game on both sides. Our team battled hard. Going on the road and getting a tie is okay. [The result] wasn’t up to our expectations. We wanted to win, but in the conditions and environment we’ll take the tie.”
“They came out mentally and physically prepared, which is a credit to their commitment to excellence,” said Vermont coach Kerry Dziczkaniec of her Catamounts. “As a result, they had a great all-around performance and we were able to create many opportunities on the No. 10-ranked team. They played with a lot of heart and pride and showed their true colors.”
Because of the wet conditions, neither team held an advantage during the 90 minutes of regulation. BU out shot Vermont, 13-10, for the game and defense pulled off its ninth shutout of the season-best in the conference. Senior goalie Stephanie Dreyer recorded four saves in the draw.
It wasn’t until overtime that either team had a great scoring chance. The first overtime period was dominated by Vermont, as it out shot BU, 4-1. Dreyer prevented a potential game-winning goal when Catamount freshman breached the Terrier defense, but Dreyer made the save to keep the game tied.
“Steph Dreyer played great,” Feldman said. “She snuffed a big chance in overtime that saved (the game). But their keeper came up huge too.”
The second half of overtime saw the Terriers get their best chance to score. Senior Paula Moniz caught Vermont’s defense napping and charged in on Vermont goalie Eliza Bradley undefended, but Bradley rushed out of the net and stopped the scoring chance before Moniz could put a shot on goal.
Sophomore Marisha Schumacher-Hodge and freshman Farrell McClernon led the Terriers with three shots each. BU was called offside 11 times in the game.
“We really could have done a better job in tactics,” Feldman said. “We needed to stay on side, get behind their defense and be stronger collectively in all aspects of the game.”
Feldman said Vermont used an offside trap tactic which most teams don’t employ. The back defenders move up in order to catch attackers off sides. The tactic is risky in most situations but worked well against the Terriers Sunday.
“Given the conditions, it was harder to play balls behind [the defense],” Feldman said. “We weren’t as focused to stay onside and attack at the right time. We needed better opportunities and the off sides took away our chances. The trap can affect the timing of the attack. They tried to employ it [Sunday] and it worked very well for them.”
Moving forward to Thursday’s home game against the University at Albany, Feldman said the team needs to put the draw behind them and focus their attention forward.
“We need to not get discouraged on the field,” she said. “We need to be stronger and more positive and have more of a winning mentality. Those things we can improve on. [Sunday’s draw] is over, now we need to focus on Thursday and playing Albany. Every team will be coming after us this season-we’re the defending [America East] Champions. Every game we play the other team is looking to knock BU off.”