To kick off the 2009 season, the Boston University field hockey team was invited to the Wildcat Classic this past weekend, traveling to Lakeside Field in Evanston, Ill., but fell short in a pair of tight games against host Northwestern University, 2-1, and No. 1 University of Maryland, 2-0.
After a scoreless first half on Saturday against the Wildcats (2-1), the Terriers (0-2) got on the board 15 minutes into the second frame on a shot to the far post by redshirt freshman Leslie Zules. Junior Allie Dolce notched the assist, finding Zules as she scrambled in front of the net and broke the deadlock.
However, Zules’ first collegiate goal was answered about a minute and a half later by Northwestern sophomore Chelsea Armstrong off a penalty corner. The teams battled into an extra session, but in just the second minute of overtime, Armstrong fought her way into a 2-on-1 and notched the game winner for the ‘Cats.
Statistically, the Terriers dominated, outshooting the Wildcats 13-5 and doubling up on penalty corners, 6-3. Junior goalkeeper Amanda Smith recorded two saves in goal for the Terriers, while the visitors worked Wildcat goalkeeper Katie Lynch to four saves. But the only two shots BU allowed in the second half and overtime went for goals, proving to be the difference in the game.
On Sunday, the Terriers faced the top-ranked Terrapins (5-0), who shutout Ohio University the day before, 3-0. Maryland again got off to a strong start to open the game. Fourteen minutes into the matchup, freshman Janessa Pope sent a cross-cage pass from junior Katie O’Donnell into the back of the net. Less than nine minutes later, senior Alexis Pappas put BU in a two-goal hole with an unassisted tally off a broken penalty corner.
But the Terriers continued to fight. Senior and returning points leader Nikki Lloyd narrowly answered Maryland’s second score with a shot from a corner that bounced off the crossbar of the Terrapins’ cage. BU kept up the pressure in the second half, setting up several scoring opportunities and corners, but was unable to beat Maryland goalkeeper, Alicia Grater, who recorded seven saves in the game.
Despite a two-goal loss, the Terriers out-cornered the Terrapins, 8-6, and were outshot on goal by just an 8-7 margin. Lloyd and freshman Jacinda McLeod had three shots on goal, each. Smith registered a career-high six saves for the Terriers, but it was not enough against the best team in the country.
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