The ball popped up in the middle of the field, deflected off a University of Maryland-Baltimore County defender and almost magically landed at the feet of junior midfielder Lauren Erwin at 57:55. Erwin took control of the loose ball about nine yards out, one-on-one with the UMBC goalie, and smashed a high line drive into the left side of the goal, giving the Boston University women’s soccer team a 1-0 lead.
Not to mention an America East Conference regular-season title. Erwin’s goal was all the Terriers (10-4-4, 6-0-1 America East) would need on a chilly Thursday afternoon at Nickerson Field. BU’s defense, which is becoming dominant, completely held off a potent Retrievers (9-7-1, 3-3-1) offense to contribute to BU’s fourth America East title in the program’s history.
BU will not only receive the honor of sitting on top of the America East ladder, but its victory will also assure them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
“It’s a relief and it gives us confidence,” said Erwin. “It’s nice to sit back and have teams come to you. It’s a pain if you have to drive all the way to Maine and we’ll have fans [at the playoffs].”
After the Scarlet and White polished off UMBC, it put this BU team in a unique position: It now has the opportunity to become the third squad without a conference loss in team history.
So how does this team compare to the other great teams before it?
“Surprisingly, this team is as exciting in the attack as any team I’ve ever had,” said BU coach Nancy Feldman. “I think the total sum of all our players can generate a really exciting attack. I think the other thing is the mentality of our backs and our goalkeepers and their pride.”
That pride was especially evident on Thursday, as the defense had its best game of the year statistically. America East point leader Jessica Young and her cohorts were completely stymied by the BU five-headed defensive monster of Christina Kim, Erica Lee, Ashley LoCasale, Brittney McDonald and Susan Marschall.
For the 90 minutes of game time, BU allowed a grand total of one shot on goal.
A great part of the Boston 11’s success this season – both defensively and offensively – has been the team’s camaraderie, not just when the players step on the pitch, but when they’re off the field, as well.
“We are much more unified off the field than we have been in years past,” said Marschall, now in her senior year. “And I think it’s so competitive, but it’s much more positive, also. In the past it was competitive, but it would have leaned much more toward the negative side.”
Conference play has been nothing but positive for the Terriers this season, as BU has not only gone undefeated, but has also outscored its opponents, 9-1.
By giving up only one goal in seven conference contests, BU’s goals-against average sits at 0.14.
And credit for this stat should be placed directly in the middle of the white posts. For her fifth straight appearance, junior goalie Steph Dreyer posted a shutout, giving her an eye-bulging 470 straight minutes of playing time without surrendering a goal.
Dreyer and sophomore Christina Reuter have performed well, but Feldman suggested it was more than just excellent goalkeeping that’s helped BU blank so many of its opponents.
“The team is defending together, from the forwards all the way to the backs,” Feldman said. “I think we’re playing with our brains and we’re reading the game well, and we’re determined not to give up any uncontested shots. We’ve done a really great job keeping it tight.”
While the defense may be keeping it tight, the Terriers are playing loosely, freely and confidently. But then again, that’s what the Scarlet and White always seems to do against conference competition.
The season so far has been indicative of what BU has done on most occasions against America East competition. Including its defeat of UMBC, BU’s all-time record against current conference opponents rests at a mind-boggling 49-18-6.
In terms of numbers, this 2005 team is keeping up with the past. But right now, Marschall and the rest of the Terrier squad have goals set directly on the future.
“This year, finally, this is fulfilling,” she said. “I want to leave here satisfied.”
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