The Boston University women’s soccer team aims to win its third game in its last four tries tonight when it travels to Connecticut to take on the University of Hartford.
BU is coming off a 3-1 win against the University of Vermont, in which two freshmen players scored their first collegiate goals en route to matching the Terriers’ highest offensive output of the season. Before the outburst of goals against the Catamounts, BU had struggled putting the ball in the net, scoring one goal in its last six contests. The victory also bumped BU to a tie for the all-important fourth spot in the America East Conference standings with the State University of New York at Binghamton. Each team has 10 points in conference play this season. Only the top four teams in the conference are invited to America East Tournament with a NCAA Tournament berth on the line.
Today’s game with Hartford marks the first meeting of the year between the conference’s perennial powerhouses. The two teams met in the America East Tournament title game in 2000 and in 2001 with BU winning both games, 4-1 and 2-0, respectively.
This year, however, Hartford has had a successful season, going 10-6-0 (4-2-0 America East) while BU has had a tough go of things. The back-to-back America East Tournament champions have staggered to a 6-9-2 overall record, going 3-2-1 in conference action.
The Hawks are led by forward Jaeanette Akerlund, who leads the America East with 1.69 points per game. Her 10 goals and seven assists amount to a league-leading 27 points. Back Cindy Walsh has also been a large contributor, scoring six goals and seven assists for 19 points. Walsh is third in the conference in points.
The Hawks have received steady goaltending from Heather Hinton, who is third in the conference with a 1.02 goals against average. Her 10 wins also lead the league.
BU is led on offense by freshman forward Meghann Cook. In starting all 17 games for the Terriers, Cook has amassed three goals and two assists for 8 points. Junior forward Katie Smurthwaite is second on the team with two goals and two assists for six points.
Tonight’s game time has been moved from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Hartford’s Al-Marzook Field.
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