Solid goalkeeping could not cure a snake-bitten offense and high competition as the Boston University women’s soccer team dropped a 1-0 overtime contest against the University of Connecticut and a 3-0 game versus No. 23 Penn State University in the UConn Classic.’
‘We have the ability to compete with teams as strong as Connecticut [3-2-0] and Penn State [3-4-0],’ BU coach Nancy Feldman said. ‘The play of our reshaped back line was certainly a bright spot. I was particularly impressed with [senior] Emily Pallotta. She played her guts out and her last three games have been as consistent as I have seen her play.’
Pallota played the entirety of the overtime game against UConn and 83 minutes against Penn State.’ ‘
On Friday night, BU (2-3-2) lost a heartbreaker to UConn at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium in Storrs, CT. Connecticut sophomore Melissa Busque scored on a cross from freshman Linda Ruutu early in overtime to give the Huskies the 1-0 victory.
Sophomore Jessica Luscinski paced the Terrier’s offense with four shots, one on net. However, the BU offense never really got into a groove as they only managed to put three shots on goal to UConn’s eight.’
BU outshot UConn 3-2 in the first half, but had their best opportunities to score early in the second half. The Terriers fired three shots, two on goal, within a two minute span. Connecticut goalkeeper sophomore Jessica Dulski was up to the task, making two big saves to keep the game scoreless.’
Senior goalkeeper Janie Reilly continued her strong play in net with seven saves, keeping BU tied through the regulation period. Reilly held strong in the second half, when UConn outshot BU 12-5, and also made two saves in the overtime period before Busque tapped in the game winner.
On Sunday afternoon, the Nittany Lions knocked in their first goal midway through the first half, and backed up the tally with two goals early in the second on their way to a 3-0 trouncing.’
Penn State’s junior Danielle Toney scored the game winner in the 29th minute and found the back of the net again in the 46th minute. Maddy Evans tacked on an insurance goal less than two minutes later to give the Nittany Lions a three-goal cushion.
‘We got passive in the second half,’ Feldman said. ‘We had some defensive lapses. We were definitely rattled by the second goal.’
BU kept the game close in the first half, posting six shots to Penn State’s seven. The second half was a much different story, as the Terriers were outshot 13-2 without a shot on goal in the half.’
Sophomore goalkeeper Annie Tooley kept the game close in the first half with three saves, six total for the game. On the offensive side of the ball, freshman Megan McGoldrick led the team with three shots on goal.’
After BU’s impressive two wins to start of the season, the Terriers have gone 0-3-2 and only scored one goal.
Feldman said the struggle was not due solely to the offense, but also to the caliber of the competition that BU has faced over the past two weeks. But the offense needs to find the perfect balance between being aggressive and being patient, she said.’
Despite recent struggles, Feldman said she believes the team’s mindset will help them succeed throughout the season.
‘They meet every challenge head on, are not shy about doing work and have tremendous heart and work ethic,’ she said.
BU continues their non-conference play Friday on the road against city rival Northeastern University and then Sunday against Harvard University at Nickerson Field, a game featured on Fox Soccer Channel.’
‘We are still developing,’ Feldman said. ‘We are not complete yet. Right now I am not worried about conference play. Every game is important and we are taking the season day by day. Our focus right now is on Northeastern.”
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