With just three games remaining in the 2006 season, the No. 10 Boston University women’s soccer team needs every win it can get. The quest for its second consecutive America East crown continues Sunday when the Terriers tango with the University of New Hampshire.
The Terriers suffered a tough loss Wednesday, when they fell to Dartmouth College, 1-0, snapping their seven-game unbeaten streak. Coach Nancy Feldman felt her team did not perform well after allowing the goal, as they had more than 30 minutes to tie the game. During a period late in the second half, they did not register a shot on goal for 20 minutes.
The Terriers (11-3-2, 4-0-1 AE) will look to rebound from the setback when they play in their final regular season home game Sunday at Nickerson Field against the Wildcats (5-8-0, 3-3-0 AE).
“On offense we have to just keep moving the ball,” Feldman said after Wednesday’s loss. “We need to keep the ball and possession as fast and sharp as we can. Our attacking focus really doesn’t change from game to game.”
The Wildcats have won just two of their last six games but defeated the University of Vermont, 1-0, Sunday-a team which BU only tied. At 3-3-0 in the conference, UNH is looking to move up in the standings in preparation for the America East tournament.
Offense has been a struggle for UNH this season. The Wildcats have scored just 11 goals in their 13 games, getting shut out five times. They have also been snake bitten on the road this year, posting just a 1-5 record away from Durham. UNH did however beat a UMass team earlier this season which beat the Terriers, 3-1.
The Wildcat offense is led by the two-headed monster of Sara Hourihan and Michelle Sheehan. Combined, the two account for six of the 11 goals scored this season, with Hourihan netting four and Sheehan two, with a team leading four assists. Hourihan has a team high 14 shots on goal this season and Sheehan scored the game-winning goal against Vermont.
Defensively the Wildcats have kept opponents’ scoring down, having allowed just 15 goals. Goalie Lynn Gugliuzza has started every match this season and sports a 1.15 goals-against average, 72 saves and five shutouts. The back four have allowed just 89 shots on goal this season and 43 corner kicks. UNH has struggled in close games recently, having lost its last five games by just a goal.
In addition to the intensity of a conference game late in the season, four BU seniors will be taking Nickerson Field for the final time in a regular season game Sunday. Senior activities will honor the four seniors: Lauren Erwin, Stephanie Dreyer, Paula Moniz and Erica Lee. All four have been consistent starters and contributors this season and will look to improve their four-year perfect record against the Wildcats (5-0). The last time these two teams met was in last year’s America East semifinal at Nickerson Field, with BU prevailing, 2-1, in overtime.
“Sunday is Senior Day and there will definitely be a ceremony,” Feldman said. “I have a lot of fond memories with the seniors and so it will be a fun day.”
Meanwhile, Boston University’s usually potent offense went quiet Wednesday against Dartmouth, being shut out for just the fourth time in 17 games. Freshman Farrell McClernon still leads the team with six goals and Erwin has three goals-all of the game-winning variety-and seven assists.
Though the loss to a hot Dartmouth team was a non-league match, every game is important to BU because of seeding for the NCAA Tournament. The Terriers will defend their perfect 2006 home record of 7-0-1 against a Wildcat team looking to snatch victory in a pivotal late season America East match-up.
“We don’t really do a whole lot in preparation for specific team,” Feldman said. “We just want to be playing our tempo with attack and defense. If we do that with possession it’s about preparing for rest of season, not just his game.”