Another solid defensive effort helped the Boston University women’s soccer team defeat Bucknell University 1-0 Saturday at Nickerson Field. With the win, the Terriers became the regular season co-champions of the Patriot League and clinched the No. 2 seed in the conference playoffs.
Throughout the season, the Terriers (13-3-3, 8-1-0 Patriot League) have relied on the stellar play of senior goalkeeper Andrea Green to help keep the team in close games. The match against the Bison (7-9-1, 4-4-1) was no exception. Green saw only two shots during the contest but did not have to make a save as neither hit the net. Green made one spectacular play in the 15th minute, however, when she stepped off of her line to corral a ball that had fallen into the goal box, stopping a Bison opportunity.
Green, who leads all Patriot League goalkeepers in goals-against average (0.30) and is tied for the league lead in shutouts, said she attributes her success this season to the overall defensive effort of the Terriers.
“It’s been my defense,” Green said. “We have the lowest shots on goal average, so that definitely helps and makes my life easier and gives me very few shots that I have to face.”
Although freshman forward Erica Kosienski placed the ball into the back of the net in the 53rd minute for her sixth goal of the year, the game was still a defensive battle. Both the Bison and the Terriers struggled to string passes together and keep possession. Junior defender Kai Miller and sophomore defender McKenzie Hollenbaugh were again tasked with holding off charging Bison forwards looking to even up the score. Bucknell’s only viable chance in the second half came off of a corner kick in the 78th minute, but the Terriers were able to clear the ball away before the Bison could get a scoring opportunity.
BU coach Nancy Feldman said she credits the defense for preserving the victory for the Terriers.
“We were sluggish, but we defended pretty well,” Feldman said.
As the team progresses into the postseason, the Terriers will again look to their defense to maintain their three-game shutout streak. BU leads the conference in fewest goals against, only conceding seven in 19 games, and the team is tied for the league lead in shutouts with 13.
The Terrier defensive effort has been crucial in many of BU’s games, as ten of the Terrier matches have been decided by one goal. BU’s record in those games is 7-3, a testament to the strength of the Terrier defenders.
Both Feldman and Green said they are confident that the Terriers will carry over their successes into the postseason.
“I’m pretty confident that we’re going to do well if we keep practicing the way we have,” Green said. “I definitely think we’re going to do really well.
Feldman said she agreed with Green.
“We’re turning over the chapter of regular season and moving onto the postseason,” Feldman said, “and we have a really good shot to go far.”
Jackie is a sports reporter for The Daily Free Press and has previously served as Managing Editor and Associate Sports Editor of the FreeP. At this moment, she's probably watching Shark Tank and thinking of ways to work, "and for that reason, I'm out," into casual conversations. Please send all inquiries in the form of a box combo from Cane's with no coleslaw and extra fries or follow her on Twitter at @jackie_bam
