Freshman Ellie Landsman was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week after a fantastic defensive performance against Colgate University.
Following a tough 2-1 victory at Colgate University on Saturday, Boston University freshman midfielder Ellie Landsman was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week.
Landsman received this award on the heels of a stellar defensive performance against the Raiders (1-7). From her midfield spot, she protected the cage at all costs, spelling an injury-ridden Terrier (5-2) backfield. Landsman was a key component of a BU defense that allowed only three shots on goal, providing the stand that led to the team’s first ever conference win as part of the Patriot League.
Landsman took some momentum with her on the road to Colgate, after she recorded her first career defensive save against Providence College the previous week.
“Ellie’s not playing like a freshman,” said BU coach Sally Starr. “She plays aggressively, she plays hard. She’s played tremendously lately with her ability to come up with key interceptions and just playing smart, hard hockey.”
Landsman is the first Terrier to win Rookie of the Week honors this season. She joins junior goalkeeper Valentina Cerda Eimbcke, senior backer Ysi Schieb, and freshman forward Amanda Cassera as the other recipients of weekly awards for BU.
Bernatchez Returns to Starting Role after Injury
The Terriers’ gained much-needed depth this past week when sophomore backer Katie Bernatchez rejoined the starting lineup for the first time in over two-and-a-half weeks Saturday against the Raiders (1-7). Bernatchez suffered a concussion in only her second start of the season against Delaware University, and was scratched from the next two games against Northwestern University and Miami University (Ohio).
After receiving clearance from team trainers, Bernatchez played sparingly the next two games against Boston College and Providence (4-4), slowly working her way back into the lineup. Finally on Saturday, she not only resumed her starting role, but also played the full 70 minutes for the Terriers. An ankle injury to fellow sophomore backer Rachel Coll places even more emphasis on the return of Bernatchez as BU continues conference play.
“It would be awful if we were to be without both of them,” Starr said. “I think we would be in real trouble. So I think her [Bernatchez’s] health may not be where it needs to be, but getting as much playing time as she’s getting right now is helpful, and I think this weekend she’ll be 100 percent.”
Late Game Heroics Characterize the Season for the Terriers
Despite their recent success, the past few weeks have put the Terriers to the test, as they have played five games out of their last six where the final score was decided by one goal. In these games, BU has logged a 4-2 record with three come-from-behind wins.
Although the Terriers have struggled offensively of late — scoring only eight goals in their last six games — superb defensive play from both the backline and Eimbcke have validated BU’s preseason expectations as the favorites to win the Patriot League.
The resiliency of BU is even more impressive considering the relative youth of the team, with five freshmen starting against the Raiders on Saturday. These freshmen have played with a poise beyond their years, something that Starr has definitely noticed.
“Well, you really look at our team, and our veteran players are more in the midfield and at the back,” Starr said. “Even though we have two freshmen starting in the backfield, we have great goalkeeping from [Eimbcke]. As long as we keep on getting better and better and keep on working hard, we’ll keep generating those cross shots that just haven’t been going for us.”
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