The Boston University women’s soccer team (5-4-3, 2-1-1 PL) triumphed 3-2 over Army West Point (8-4-1, 2-2-0 PL) in a thrilling matchup Oct. 1.
The two faced each other in the Patriot League Semifinals last year, where BU won 2-1. The team went on to beat Bucknell in the finals and claimed their fifth Patriot League title since joining the league in 2013.
This game certainly lived up to expectations.
The Terriers claimed the lead within the first five minutes with two goals scored by senior midfielder Mackenzie Stickelman and senior forward Margy Porta. Both were scored off of free kicks.
“Those early goals were a long-time coming,” said Head Coach Megan Burke. “It was us finally putting pressure on an opponent, getting opportunities early and then making sure we capitalize on them to be able to really control the tempo of the game.”
Burke said Porta stood out as the game’s key player after her impressive performance, and her efficiency was “super clean.”
“Margy Porta had an awesome game. She held up the ball really well for us,” Burke said.
Porta had three shots — two on goal. She stayed aggressive and physical throughout the night, particularly in the second half despite not registering any more goals.
Porta’s goal was her first since playing Army in the Semifinals last season.
In an impressive showing, sophomore goalkeeper Bridget Carr helped sustain BU’s lead until early in the second half, stopping five of seven shots on goal.
However, the Black Knights temporarily gained momentum and dominated zone time. Army’s defender and midfielder Megan Youngberg cut the Terriers’ lead in half in the 55th minute, and her teammate Brigid Duffy tied it up less than 10 minutes later.
Burke said the Terriers’ plan to target defensive attack and game plan in upcoming practices.
“Those are things that will continue to grow and develop as we go through the next couple of weeks,” she said.
The Terriers, who failed to score in their previous game against Loyola Maryland, took the tied game as a wake-up call. In the 73rd minute against Army, senior midfielder Giulianna Gianino scored Boston’s game-winning goal.
Gianino assisted Porta’s earlier goal and led the team with three shots. Her two points moved her into eighth place in program history, and after Sunday’s game, Gianino now tallies a total 62 points throughout her four seasons.
In the final 10 minutes of regulation, the Black Knights received two yellow cards, while BU only has three so far this season.
Burke said she’d “like to keep the scoring going” for future games.
Prior to Oct. 4 — when the Terriers dominated the Lafayette College Leopards 5-0 — the team had not scored at home in over 200 minutes.
The Terriers look to maintain this rejuvenation against the Bucknell Bison Oct. 11 with kickoff at 1 p.m.