No Conn do for field hockey against No. 4 Huskies

Straight off of a nail-biter against America East Conference rival No. 10 University of New Hampshire, the No. 16 Boston University field hockey team did not have time to let its nails grow back before another close contest.

The Terriers fought hard against the No. 4 University of Connecticut last night, but ultimately came up short in a 2-1 loss at the George J. Sherman Sports Complex in Storrs, Conn.

“The team did outstanding in the first half,” said BU coach Sally Starr. “It’s their best hockey this season. UConn is a top-four team and we outplayed them.”

The Huskies scored first, their goal coming just four minutes into the game. After a blocked shot from midfielder Jestine Angelini, forward Anne Jeute slapped in a short shot past junior goalkeeper Jess Maroney to make it 1-0.

“We were doing a good job,” Starr said. “We were unlucky there. Field hockey is a game of inches.”

The Terriers (8-7, 2-0 America East Conference) responded with a goal of their own 13 minutes later off a penalty corner. Senior fullback Kate Murphy earned her third goal of the season with assists from fellow fullback junior Jacinda McLeod and junior midfielder Macey Gaumond. Captain Murphy led the team in shots last night, earning four against the strong UConn defense.

The score remained knotted at one going into the second half, with the Terriers earning seven penalty corners before the break and allowing only two for the Huskies.

“The defense continues to be a strength for the team,” Starr said.

Just more than three minutes into the second half, the Huskies (14-1, 4-0 Big East) earned their last goal of the game, capitalizing on the opportunity with an unassisted goal from forward Chloe Hunnable, who added to her team-high 13 goals. While her first shot was blocked, Hunnable maintained possession of the ball to score the eventual game-winning goal.

BU did not give up without a fight, however, playing until the last seconds of regulation. After taking possession of the ball in the last ten minutes of play and calling two timeouts, the Terriers earned their only corner of the half as the final buzzer rang out. The shot by Murphy was blocked by UConn, ending the Terriers’ chance for a comeback.

The Terriers led the game in offense, earning eight penalties to top the three earned by the Huskies. The Terriers also led the Huskies in shots 12-10.

“We were playing well,” Starr said. “We were attacking and our turnovers turned into good circle penetration.”

Husky goalie sophomore Sarah Mansfield recorded five saves and allowed one goal, while BU’s Maroney and freshman Cerda Valentina split the game, each recording two saves and allowing one goal apiece against the Huskies.

While she did not make it on the scoreboard for the Terriers, sophomore midfielder Madeleine Hackett came off the bench and started in her first game of the season, playing the entire 70 minutes. She contributed to corner play and, according to Starr, took advantage of her starting opportunity. Starr also acknowledged Hackett’s aggressive play in the UNH game as well.

Classmate Ysi Schieb also got the nod for a starting position in her 10th game of the season, adding to the team’s grinding battle against the Huskies.

“It takes everyone playing well,” Starr said of the successful competition her team posted against the Huskies.

McLeod and midfielder Giovanna Moncaco held up a strong BU defense, forming a barrier the Huskies were unable to penetrate for a majority of the game.

McLeod recorded two shots and two shots on goal throughout her 70 minutes on the field.

The Terriers will take on the University of Albany Saturday afternoon at Newton Campus Field in the hopes of breaking their three-way tie with the Great Danes and the University of Maine.

“I would love to see the strikers with the ball in the circle,” Starr said. “We are getting closer and better and improving. We just need to find a way to get strikers goals.”