It has been a frustrating week for the Boston University women’s soccer team, as it has dropped its last three contests and has seen its record drop to 3–5–1 on the season.
Traveling out to California last week for the Stanford Nike Invitational, BU suffered a tough loss to defending NCAA champion Stanford University in which the Cardinal scored a goal with 1:18 remaining in regulation to give Stanford a 1–0 lead that it would hold for the win.
Two days later, BU played Santa Clara University, where the Terriers fell 1–0 after being outshot by Santa Clara, 17–9.
Upon returning home to Nickerson Field, BU hosted the University of Massachusetts, who had beaten the Terriers in two of the last three meetings between the clubs.
The Terriers maintained a great offensive presence throughout the game, as they recorded seven shots on goal and 10 corner kicks. But they were unable to get anything past UMass goalkeeper Emily Cota, who stymied the Terriers’ offense the entire game.
An early goal by UMass freshman Jackie Bruno was all the offense that the Minutewomen needed, as BU dropped its third straight game 1–0.
“Attitude to score needs to get better,” said BU coach Nancy Feldman. “It’s difficult when we’re giving up goals … we shouldn’t give up, but it happens. You get that many corners and that many chances, we should be able to find a goal.”
Despite the loss to UMass, Feldman was hesitant to compare the loss to the other two games out in California, especially the contest against Stanford.
“We didn’t have that many chances against Stanford,” Feldman said. “We’re trying to win the game, but we’re trying to counter (Stanford), and you’re not gonna get a lot of chances, so it’s like apples and oranges.”
Offense Showing Signs Of Life
While the Terriers were shut out over the last three games, signs point to BU’s offense slowly coming back together.
BU has increased its number of shots on goal with each game, from zero against Stanford, to two against Santa Clara and finally seven against UMass.
Feldman acknowledged that the offense looked much better in the UMass game, but was not consistent enough to even the score against the Minutewomen.
“The last 25 minutes is not the part of the game that I want to remember because we were playing a 4–2–4 and a 3–3–4, and it’s not our shape,” Feldman said. “You’re just trying to generate something, but the first half was very good, the beginning of the second half I thought was pretty good, but then I felt like the energy kind of dropped.”
Blauner Has Great Home Debut
Freshman midfielder Rachel Blauner, who missed the first six games of the regular season after suffering a leg injury during the preseason, had a strong first game at Nickerson Field.
The midfielder from East Bridgewater, UMass came off the bench to record her first two career two shots on goal.
Feldman was pleased to see Blauner on the field, admitting that even though she was “rusty,” Blauner should be a “key player” for this team.
As the Terriers prepare to enter conference play in their next game, Blauner should bolster the team’s offensive play.
Green Consistent For The Team
One of the few bright spots amid the three-game losing streak for the Terriers has been junior goalkeeper Andrea Green, who has posted shutouts in three of nine games this season and only allowed one goal in each of the last three games.
Green was fantastic against No. 3 Stanford, allowing only one goal and making eight saves against one of the best teams in the country.
Next Game
The Terriers’ next game will take them down to Raleigh, N.C., where they will face off against North Carolina State University in the last game before conference play begins.
First kick will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 20.
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