The Boston University women’s soccer team played the University of Maine to a scoreless draw through 110 minutes of Sunday’s America East Semifinals game at the University of Hartford’s Al-Marzook Field. Much like the World Cup final, this America East Semifinals match-up would be decided by penalty kicks.
Unfortunately for the Terriers, they suffered the same fate as the French national team, losing on penalty kicks, 2-0, against the Black Bears, who reached their fourth consecutive America East conference championship. The game may have been the final game of the season for the Terriers, unless they can receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, which begins Nov. 10.
“Our defense played well,” said BU coach Nancy Feldman. “In the second half, we didn’t play as well with possession. I just think we could’ve done better in the second half.”
The second half was arguably the toughest time for the Terriers, as they only mustered one shot on goal throughout the frame. Despite BU’s second-half follies, the Terriers had numerous chances to score in regulation and in overtime, forcing Maine goalkeeper Jasmine Phillips to make 10 saves, including three in the two overtime periods.
The shutouts by both Phillips and senior Stephanie Dreyer (1 save) led to penalty kicks to decide the eventual winner.
“You don’t want to have it come down to a shootout,” Feldman said. “I would much rather win a game scoring in regulation. With PK’s, there is no good feeling to win or lose. It’s just not a true judge of performance.”
Dreyer stopped the first kick cold from Maine’s Laura Harper, who led the Black Bears this season with 11 goals. With a chance to take the advantage in penalty kicks, BU fell short, as Phillips answered Dreyer by stopping a shot from senior co-captain Lauren Erwin.
Maine took the lead in penalty kicks on a score from Marie-Andree Canuel, who used a soft touch to put it in the left side of the net. Marisha Schumacher-Hodge, who was recently named the America East’s Midfielder of the Year, failed to score, shooting the ball wide left.
Maine added a second tally on the next kick from Kim Stephenson, who sent her shot again through the left side of the net past the diving Dreyer. BU sent senior co-captain Erica Lee, normally an ace defender, to take the kick. However, Lee also missed, firing the ball over net.
Dreyer came up with a huge save on the next kick from Christine LaBelle, which would have ended the match. Down 2-0, the Terriers needed to score on their final three penalty kicks, while also stopping Maine’s last two. BU’s run at a conference title ended, however, when freshman Farrell McClernon’s shot was stopped by Phillips. Earlier in the week, McClernon had been named the conference’s Rookie of the Year.
“Our people were confident and aware of the order [before the game],” Feldman said. “They wanted to be in that position. The shooters didn’t have their best shots. Stephanie stopped two though, which was fantastic.”
Before penalty kicks, the Terriers had 11 corner kicks and nearly scored on a few occasions in the first half, firing a total of seven shots (six on target).
“We had wonderful chances throughout the game,” Feldman said. “We should’ve stuck one in the back of the net.”
All season the Terriers seemed to come up with a big win when they needed it, including wins against the No. 3 University of Santa Clara on the road and a huge win at home against then-undefeated Maine. Their final two losses (to Hartford and Maine) could turn out to be fatal for their season. Had the Terriers defeated Hartford, they would have hosted the America East tournament.
“[Playing at home] would have made a difference,” Feldman said. “But we have won important games on road too. Playing here was not a factor in us losing.”
As far as her team’s chances of playing again this season, Feldman is not so sure just yet.
“There is a chance to make it for us,” Feldman said. “A lot could happen. It just depends what happens, it depends how the America East tournament plays out. We will get a better sense of it this week.”
Despite the recent disappointments, Feldman is not upset with how her team has played this season and is, in turn, excited about the future of her program.
“We have a lot of good talent,” Feldman said. “There are some good players coming in for our ’07 class as well.
“A lot of what we’ve learned may have helped our younger players to become a championship team [in the future],” Feldman continued. “It takes a lot, it just doesn’t happen magically. Our seniors this year did a terrific job with young players. The freshmen have been a terrific group. It’s been very exciting to watch this season.”