Both at home and on the road, the Boston University women’s soccer team showcased its talent on Thursday and Sunday, against the University of Vermont and the University of Maine, respectively.
The Terriers (10-2-1, 3-0-0 AE) came out strong to the tune of a 5-0 victory against Vermont (3-6-3, 1-1-0 AE) and a close 2-1 against Maine (3-5-1, 0-2-0 AE).
“We showed that we are the aggressor—[we] come to play, come to compete, come to battle,” head coach Nancy Feldman said after the win over Vermont. “We can dominate, but you can’t bring your B or your C game and expect not only to win games, but be a championship team.”
Before Thursday night’s match even began, weather conditions set the game back by 40 minutes, delaying the game and the pregame Faculty and Staff Night ceremonies. Eight members of the BU community were acknowledged for their continuing support, including Thomas Gilmore, Bruce Bucci, Sarah Sparrow Benes, Eileen O’Keefe, Stefanie Howlett, Trudi Feinstein, Erica Bell and Chris Cadebread.
Once the game finally began, it took the Terriers the first half to take full control.
The Catamounts gained early possession and played aggressively in the game’s early goings.
Still, senior midfielder Jessica Luscinski wasted no time in scoring the first goal of the night just 13 minutes into the first half.
“Katherine Donnelly [credited with the assist] played a beautiful ball through and I was able to get in behind the defense,” Luscinski said of her goal. “And we had worked on break-aways all week long, so I knew right when that ball came through I was going to be able to finish it.”
It was the second half of the game, however, that BU truly dominated, adding four more goals to their score.
Sophomore midfielder Emma Clark started the trend with her first goal of the season, the second for the Terriers on the night. Sophomore forward Madison Clemens quickly followed, along with another by Lucinski and Tiya Gallegos, also scoring her first goal this year.
“It’s a team effort,” Feldman said of the successful defense of the team. “I just think it’s a mentality. We set a goal and we want to achieve it…and no matter if you’re the starter or the sub, everyone’s committed to it.”
Without the stress of weather delays, Sunday’s game against the Black Bears was equally satisfying for the Terriers, who were hungry for another victory in America East Conference play.
Both goals were coincidentally scored off of rebounds and proved to be very important in such a close game. Freshman forward Taylor Krebs scored the deciding goal in the second half, putting her in a tie for most goals of the season with sophomore midfielder Kylie Strom and Lucinski.
“She’s got a knack and capacity for goals,” Feldman said of Krebs. “Her motor is always going.”
Again, Lucinski stood out with the first goal of the day and four shots overall.
“It’s great to have her back healthy,” Feldman said of Luscinski’s weekend performance. “She’s a very important player to us. She’s a dynamic attacker and is a good example of how to find the ball and separate herself. She’s a heck of a defender and a forward.”
After yet another conference win, Feldman expressed her contentment with the team’s progress toward their goals. Throughout the season, the Terriers have been working toward playing consistently during the 90-minute game and better penetration when shooting goals.
“[It was a] more consistent game [although] it took us more time to find our game,” Feldman said. “It’s a good start and better mentality. We worked at it in the first half and I’m really pleased with that.”
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