Dripping from intense rainfall, a slowly dribbling ball slipped out of Boston University sophomore goalie Christina Reuter’s hands with six minutes to go during a game on Sept. 29 in Orono, Maine. Eventually, that ball went into the back of the net, allowing the University of Maine to tie the game and send BU home with a disappointing draw.
Since Mother Nature rained on BU’s parade, the Terriers (8-4-3 overall, 4-0-1 America East), have done nothing but win. In the three games since the contest against the Black Bears (8-4-1, 3-0-1), BU is undefeated and has outscored its opposition by a combined total of 7-0.
Heading into their contest Wednesday afternoon against Dartmouth College, the Terriers stand atop the America East, three points ahead of Maine.
Today, BU will step out of America East competition and step on the pitch in a bout against the Big Green (7-3 overall, 1-1 Ivy League). The contest features two of the best teams in the Northeast – Dartmouth is ranked at No. 4 and BU at No. 7 in the region, according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. And both are hot, with Dartmouth having won four of its last five games.
“We’re similar in a lot of ways in our styles, I think,” said BU coach Nancy Feldman. “They are a very solid team top to bottom and don’t rely on superstars. They rely on the team to dominate.”
While she may not be a superstar, the Scarlet and White must still deal with the Big Green’s most prolific scoring threat, midfielder Sarah Johnson. For the season, Johnson leads Dartmouth in scoring (7 goals), shots (36), assists (3) and points (17).
Between the posts and under the crossbar, Big Green sophomore goal-guarder Amanda Webb posts 1.12 goals against average – a statistic suggesting Reuter (with her 0.53 GAA) and the rest of the Terriers should be involved a slugfest this afternoon.
The two teams meet for the first time since Sept. 29, 2004, when Melissa Shulman scored three minutes into overtime to clinch a 2-1 win for then-26th-ranked BU.
“There should be a good rivalry and a good spirit to the game,” Feldman said. “They remember they got beat in overtime on their field last year.”
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