The story of the Boston University field hockey team’s 2007 season, during which the Terriers set a team-record 18 wins, really starts long before the squad ever took the field.
As Jack Barry Field grew cold over the offseason, BU coach Sally Starr’s office was hot with activity. Starr was looking to add the final weapon to an already lethal Terrier squad that had finished 14-7 in the 2006 season.
“We knew we needed a goalie,” Starr said. “You can’t be successful without quality goaltending. Bringing Kim [Kastuk] in was a big pick-up.”
The rookie sensation would go on to post a 1.25 goals-against average, tallying 17 wins and seven shutouts while earning America East Rookie of the Year honors. With Kastuk in net, the Terriers finally boasted a complete team, a team that could rack up points at will with one of the stingiest defenses in the league. Before the season started, Starr knew she had something special.
“We had that feeling from last spring and into the summer,” Starr said. “We were returning a strong team that was motivated, a special group of young women who could have a special season.”
This returning group included one of the most talented crops of seniors in BU history, who set a Terrier record for wins by a class, with 61 over a four-year period.
“When we recruited this group [of seniors], we felt that they were the total package,” Starr said. “They were athletic, great kids who had an excellent work ethic and they made up a group of people that liked each other a lot.”
It was no surprise then that the team would jump out to a 3-0 start following drubbings of Quinnipiac College, Providence College and the University of Miami (Ohio).
But it was not all winning streaks for the Terriers, who hit the occasional speed bump on the road to greatness. Such is expected when a team clashes with the toughest squads in the nation. Yet even in the face of juggernauts No. 12 Duke University, No. 8 Michigan State, No. 4 University of Connecticut and No. 3 University of Maryland, the Terriers stood strong, fought hard and moved forward.
“Each game has been a stepping stone for the next game,” Starr said. “During the regular season, Duke, Maryland and Virginia, playing those teams helped prepare us.”
Taking lumps from the bullies of the national polls had the Terriers more than prepared for conference play. It was of little surprise that on Sept. 28, the Terriers promptly gained hold of the America East conference lead with a 4-1 win over the University of New Hampshire. There was no looking back from there.
The Terriers went on to steamroll America East competition, compiling a perfect 5-0 record with a 1-0 win over the University of Maine, a 3-1 victory over the University at Albany and a 2-0 clincher over the University of Vermont.
With the top seed in hand and home-field advantage locked up, the Terriers opened up tournament play with a 5-2 win over New Hampshire, leaving only Albany in the way of the conference three-peat.
“Albany is an outstanding team, a top 15, top 10 team,” Starr said. “We really needed to play great hockey to win the America East championship.”
Which is exactly what the Terriers did, demolishing the Great Danes, 4-1, to earn the title and solidify a Terrier dynasty.
In the NCAA Tournament, the Terriers vanquished Iowa University, 1-0, in double overtime, possibly the most exciting game the Terriers played all season. But they met their match in the second round, as they lost 2-1 to UConn one step before the final four.
With the season over, the accolades began to fall into place. Five Terriers were nominated to the Northeast All-Regional Team, tying a school record. Those five include first-teamers Sarah Shute, Sarah Hudak, Pam Spuehler and Suus Dekker, as well as second-teamer Laura Dean. Shute also broke a Terrier record for games played, taking the field a record 87 times as a Terrier. Hudak was voted America East Defensive Player of the Year.
“It’s a team sport,” Starr said, “but I am also pleased for the individual accomplishments.
“Looking back, what was important about this team were the intangibles,” Starr added. “They had no issues, came to practice ready to get better, had no problems. They were just fun to coach.”
