In a match where neither offense prevailed until the 85th minute, two defenses worked tirelessly for extended periods throughout that perplexed the opposing forwards. Only Northeastern University’s defense, however, ended the game without a scratch in its 1-0 victory over the Boston University women’s soccer team Sunday at Nickerson Field.
The Northeastern (4-2-2) senior pair of Awnalisa Walker and Bianca Calderone remained aggressive and accurate from the center back positions, allowing minimal opportunities for the Terriers (4-3-1) to find space or connect passes.
Calderone’s winning strike came on a corner where the ball bounced awkwardly into the area past BU’s defenders. The Huskies defender then found space within 10 yards of the goal to wrap her body around the ball and launch it into the net. The goal was Calderone’s first of the season.
On the other end, Calderone and Walker proved to be a disruptive duo in the middle of the field, making challenges early in the Terriers’ attack to stop BU from building up any meaningful possession.
“I don’t think we saw a consistent BU soccer effort,” said BU assistant coach Casey Brown. “We certainly battled and competed with a good level of effort, but we really got to hold the possession of the game, and we weren’t really able to open things and dictate on the attack.”
BU coach Nancy Feldman explained that her team’s inability to connect in the middle of the field, caused by Northeastern’s defense, is what prevented the Terriers from developing a threatening push toward the Huskies’ goal.
“We didn’t set up enough in [Northeastern’s] half of the field,” Feldman said. “When we did, we created a couple chances. That’s just not enough of them. The game is won and lost in the middle of the field, and we didn’t win the game in the middle of the field, and we didn’t keep it long enough to move forward with possession.”
Overall, the Huskies defense allowed BU just a single corner kick and only two shots on target.
Since her junior year, Calderone is a regular in Northeastern coach Tracey Leone’s lineup for the Huskies. Prior to this season, Calderone was named to the Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association team. Last year, she was named to the Second Team All-CAA, and since the beginning of her junior year, she has started in all of her appearances.
Her partner at the back, Walker, is back in the starting lineup this season after falling to the bench after her sophomore year. The Sugar Land, Texas, native, made 18 starts for the Huskies as a sophomore and was named to the All-CAA third team, before only making a single start as a junior.
Walker and Calderone are a formidable pairing, having shut out their opponents in an astounding six of their eight games this season.
BU center backs senior Kai Miller and freshman Alivya Wimmer delivered a promising response to Walker and Calderone. Miller effectively tracked Huskies forward Kayla Cappuzzo for the entirety of the match, consistently positioning herself between Cappuzzo and the ball.
Wimmer, who is attempting to fill the role of sophomore defender Rachel Bloznalis – out from a season ending injury after just playing two games – also had bright moments but is still learning the ins and outs of collegiate play.
Despite the loss, Feldman acknowledged the performance of her defense against the Huskies.
“I thought the progress today defensively showed itself,” Feldman said regarding her back line. “We looked like we had a plan until we got fatigued, and then we were defending too much. In the next game, I expect us to show more progress in imprinting our style and showing composure.”
