The Boston University lacrosse team snapped its two-game losing streak to defeat Yale University 12-5 on Wednesday in New Haven, Conn., a key win as the team prepares to start its America East schedule.
The Terriers (4-4) had more ground balls, shots and draw controls than the Bulldogs (1-6) despite allowing more free position shots on goal. Overall, the Terriers outperformed Yale in most aspects of the game in a dominating win.
BU relied on sophomore attack Danielle Etrasco, junior attack Hannah Frey and senior attack Erica Baumgartner to support its offense against the Bulldogs, as the three combined for 10 of the team’s 12 goals. Etrasco and Frey each scored four, while Baumgartner tallied two goals and four assists.
“They were spectacular,” said BU coach Liz Robertshaw. “I thought they did a nice job individually, but what made them so successful was a great team attack around them.”
Freshman Christina Sheridan got the start in goal and had more success against the Ivy League foe as she stopped eight shots and allowed five goals. This was Sheridan’s fifth start of the season, and she has been playing well in her split duties with sophomore Kim Elsworth.
“I think she stepped up really well,” Robertshaw said. “I think it’s something that she’s getting comfortable in cage, the defenders were very aggressive around her and forced some low angle shots from Yale, and I think she stepped up big time.”
This is the Terriers’ third win in as many attempts against an Ivy League opponent so far this season. BU dominated Brown University 15-8 on March 1, then took down then-No. 9 Dartmouth University 9-7 at home on March 9.
“I don’t know what it is but I think it’s great,” Robertshaw said. “I think our girls like to step up to the challenge of the Ivy League. We cross-recruit against those teams and our girls have friends on those teams, so we focus a lot on those games and really step up to the challenge.”
Baumgartner made a big impact on the game with her six points, but also is making an impact on the BU lacrosse record books with her 106 career assists. This total ties her for second place with 2010 graduate Xan Weitzel’s total on the all-time BU assist list. Baumgartner is now only two assists behind 2006 graduate Mary Beth Miller’s program record of 108 assists.
BU is now .500 after its first eight of nine non-conference games, and has faced some tough challenges early on. However, this tough schedule early in the season prepares the team for later AE opponents who will give the Terriers just as tough of a test.
“I think that challenging ourselves in our non-conference schedule does get us ready for America East play,” Robertshaw said. “It is challenging. I’m not going to lie – it can wear on your confidence a little bit when you’re 4-4 in a situation like this. But I think it is something that later in the season we are going to look back and see that it set us up for a lot of success.”
Up next for the Terriers is their first AE opponent, Binghamton University. The Bearcats are 2-7 so far this season, and should test the Terriers in their first in-conference game.
“I am expecting a hard-fought game,” Robertshaw said. “I want the team to put together the same effort, the same aggressive defense, and the same really sharp attacking that I saw today.”
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