There are many definitions of dominance in college sports. Any team that goes undefeated in its conference schedule can probably lay claim to that description. But going undefeated without allowing a single goal reaches a whole new level. The 2010 Boston University women’s soccer team can claim this accomplishment after its 2-0 home victory over University of Maine Sunday.
The Terriers (14-5-0, 8-0-0 America East) went into the game with a mission &- finish off the regular season on a positive note in order to set a good tone for the conference tournament. BU’s suffocating defense and timely offense was as perfect against the Black Bears (7-8-0, 3-5-0 AE) as they have been throughout the conference schedule.
It was BU’s third overall perfect conference title, joining the squads from 2000 and 2008. After the match against Maine, the Terriers’ AE goal differential stood at a sparkling 25-0.
“This is probably one of them most balanced teams we’ve ever had,” said BU coach Nancy Feldman. “Time will tell. We’ve made a great run through the regular season and I thought we handled the early schedule really well. We’ve got a tournament ahead of us where everything is even, and hopefully we get to represent America East in the NCAA tournament and this team gets to make their mark.”
Getting off to a good start was important and the Terriers did that perfectly. After notching the first six shots of the game, BU finally broke through in the 24th minute as junior midfielder Brittany Heist scored her fourth goal of the season. Heist headed a cross from junior midfielder Jessica Luscinski away from the hands of the keeper.
“Today we kind of were taking this game as do or die, so we really wanted to win to get us propelled into semifinals next week,” Heist said. “Morale’s high, everyone’s on the same page and we’re just hoping to keep putting the goals in.”
The rest of the first half featured some uneven play from both sides. The visitors defended well and even had some chances to even the score in the last five minutes. Ultimately, BU freshman goalkeeper Kelly King was able to turn away all unwanted pressure.
The second frame saw a return to the Terriers’ usual offensive form. Luscinski and graduate student forward Lisa Kevorkian sent shot after shot on goal but could not break through. It was finally junior forward Tiya Gallegos who extended the lead, slotting in a volley from the left side. Gallegos finished the year with seven goals &- by far surpassing her career high of two.
BU took care of business the rest of the way, controlling the play as has become its habit. Second-half junior goalkeeper Alice Binns handled late shots by Maine capably.
The Terriers finished the game holding a 23-7 shot differential. They ended the year taking the most shots in the conference at 174 while also having to make the fewest saves at 17.
BU goes into next week’s conference tournament as the first seed. That earns them a first-round bye and the right to host the winner of the quarterfinal between No. 5 University of New Hampshire and No. 4 University at Albany. BU’s semifinal will be played on Sunday.
“I feel like I really have a good feeling about it this year,” said senior captain Corie Halasz. “We are a very young team, but I think we’ve really developed this whole season and we’ve learned a lot from the beginning. I think we’ve come together really well as a team. Hopefully we get past the first round, and I think we really have a good shot at it this year.”
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