The No. 15 Boston University field hockey team will return to the America East Conference semifinals this weekend with a game against the No. 13 University of Maine Friday at 4 p.m.
After losing to the University at Albany in the semifinals last year in New Hampshire, the Terriers return to Durham, N.H. ready to compete with a different team.
“We are older,” head coach Sally Starr said. “Last year, we were a sophomore-driven team, but this year, we have gained experience. We are now a junior-driven team.”
The Terriers (10-8) earned the No. 2 spot in the tournament based on their 4-1 conference record, while UNH, who also posted a 4-1 conference record, earned the No. 1 spot partially due to its overtime win against BU on Oct. 17. The Terriers and Wildcats shared the America East title this season.
The Terriers have won two of their last five games, with their last contest of the regular season coming against conference rival Fairfield University. The Terriers took their second overtime win from the Stags, earning the win with a 3-2 score.
Senior captain midfielder Kate Murphy and junior midfielder Nicole van Oosterom earned one goal apiece during regulation, tying the game at two. Sophomore Ysi Schieb picked the perfect time to score her first career goal, winning the game for the Terriers nine minutes into overtime.
The Terriers have 43 goals and 263 shots under their belts this season, and have earned 122 penalty corners, an area the Terriers have worked on during the season.
“We’ve had more focus, energy and commitment to work better,” Starr said about practice leading up to the conference semifinal.
Junior midfielder Macey Gaumond maintains her spot as the leading scorer for the Terriers with eight goals, four assists and 36 shots and was awarded a second team America East honoree award.
She is followed closely behind by junior fullback Jacinda McLeod, who has seven goals, seven assists and 47 shots. McLeod became the first two-time America East Defensive Player of the Year and earned a spot on the All-Conference First Team alongside Murphy and van Oosterom. Senior fullback Giovanna Monaco joins Gaumond as a second team honoree. Murphy was also awarded with one of 38 spots on the NFCHA Senior Game.
Freshman goalkeeper Valentina Cerda caps off her rookie season by earning the America East Co-Rookie of the Year award, ending the regular season with 20 goals against, 70 saves and a 7-6 record.
The last time the Terriers and Black Bears met, the Terriers dominated the game with strong defense and came away with a 2-1 win in Maine. Gaumond and van Oosterom earned BU’s two goals 43 seconds apart and snapped Maine’s 11-game winning streak. Freshman Zoe Berkey scored the Black Bears’ lone goal.
“We are anticipating a competitive match,” Starr said. “Maine is an excellent attacking team and we are expecting 70 minutes of intense hockey.”
Starr added that consistency of passing the ball well and keeping it controlled is the team’s main goal of their upcoming contest. “[Last time] we created good passing and scoring opportunities. This time, we are going to take what they’re giving us and sustain it for longer.”
All four America East seeds are ranked nationally. The No. 10 UNH Wildcats lead the pack and are followed by Maine at No. 13, with BU coming in at No. 15 and Albany at No. 18.
“It’s great for the conference and for New England and sets up a competitive tournament scenario,” Starr said.
While the Terriers have the lowest overall record in the conference, it does not mean they are at a disadvantage by any standards.
“Our win-loss record is not nearly as strong,” Starr said. “Our strength of schedule shows you why.”
Eight of the 13 non-conference teams the Terriers faced were nationally ranked in the top 20.
“The exceptional schedule we played and the way we played it gives us the confidence to be successful,” Starr said.
According to Starr, the biggest focus for the team is playing in the moment and thinking about the game in front of them.
“We need to control the controllables,” she said, “and not get caught up in the fact that the game is season-ending.”
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