With two West Coast teams waiting for them this weekend, the Boston University women’s soccer team anticipated to struggle a bit offensively.
What it could not have predicted, however, was that the Terriers would have just two shots on goal the entire weekend.
Nonetheless, this was BU’s (3–4–1) reality as it returned to Boston having been shut out in two straight games at the hands of No. 5 Stanford University and Santa Clara University.
“We never were frantic,” said BU coach Nancy Feldman. “We got a couple of opportunities. We really needed to focus and execute in those couple of [chances], which we didn’t.
“You need to get multiple shots often to get goals, but sometimes you only need one. We were trying to play for that.”
The offensive drought started on Friday when the Terriers took on Stanford (4–1–1), the team that took home the national title last season.
While BU had six shots during the game, one in the first half and five in the second, not a single shot was on goal. Meanwhile, the Cardinal had eight shots on goal.
“On Friday night we were playing against the defending national champions and the No. 5 team in the country, so we were playing more of a defensive game plan and trying to soak up a little bit of their pressure and counter them,” Feldman said.
BU’s defensive tactics were successful, and held Stanford scoreless until the 89th minute of play. Ultimately, however, BU could not find the back of the net.
“We put ourselves in a position to tie or win the game,” Feldman said. “For our team this year and where we’re at … that was pretty much what I felt like we could do.”
The same problems mired the Terriers as they made their way to Santa Clara, Calif., to take on the Broncos (3–2–2). Although BU once again could not put a point on the board, they managed to put two shots on goal.
The two shots on goal came on two attempts within two minutes of each other during the second half of the game. Junior back Erin Mullen and classmate midfielder Megan McGoldrick forced Bronco goaltender Andi Tostanoski to show off her skills during the 51st and 53rd minute of play, respectively.
Tostanoski prevailed, however, and the Terriers remained without a goal on the weekend.
Friday’s game served as the first time all season that an opponent shut out the Terriers. BU scored one goal in each of its two losses prior to last weekend.
Throughout the brief start to BU’s season, the Terriers have out-scored opponents 12–9, but have had fewer shots on goal with 48 out of their 116 shots coming near the net as opposed to 51 of 119 for opponents. This weekend’s numbers served in direct contrast to the way the Terriers have played the rest of the season.
While some might consider the offensive drought a cause for concern, Feldman said that she somewhat expected her team to struggle offensively against the West Coast teams this weekend.
“The number of shots you get and the number of goals you get is very dependent on who you play,” Feldman said.
The games against Stanford and Santa Clara — part of the Stanford Nike Invitational — are the only West Coast games on BU’s schedule this season. From this point forward, they will remain on the East Coast, venturing as far south as North Carolina and Maryland, but for the most part remaining in the New England area.
“We stick around here and play some of the local teams, no disrespect to them,” she said. “[We’re] not testing ourselves and challenging ourselves. We may get more opportunities to get goals, but I think this is how we get better, sprinkling those games in.”
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