After a disappointing 1-0 loss to Loyola University-Maryland Saturday in which the Boston University women’s soccer team largely lacked possession, BU coach Nancy Feldman noted that her team’s back was against the wall.
With only three Patriot League games left on the regular season schedule, the Terriers (10-4-3, 4-1-2 Patriot League) knew they needed to put together a strong performance against league-leaders Colgate University if they wanted a chance at earning a first-round bye in the Patriot League tournament.
Wednesday night, battling not only the Raiders (11-2-2, 5-1-1 Patriot League), but heavy rain and winds that at times reached over 25 mph, Feldman’s squad delivered with a 2-0 win that put the team back in the conference tournament picture.
“We want to get into the tournament, and we want to get a good seed,” Feldman said. “We need points. On top of that, with Colgate being an undefeated team in [the] conference, that was motivating. We wanted to show that we’re capable of being a contender.”
BU more than proved its legitimacy, as it dominated possession for most of the game and consistently denied the Raiders any open scoring chances. Senior forward Taylor Krebs and freshman forward Christina Wakefield each put chances away in the first half, and the team held strong in the second half to secure the crucial win.
The Terriers’ 14 points places them third in the Patriot League standings behind the Raiders and the United States Naval Academy, who both have accumulated 16 points. Close behind BU is the fourth-place United States Military Academy (12 points) and fifth-place Bucknell University and Lehigh University, who each have 10 points.
If the final league standings find BU tied with the Raiders or the Midshipmen (10-3-4, 5-1-1 Patriot League), the Terriers would prevail thanks to its Wednesday night performance and its 1-0 win over Navy on Sept. 20.
Both Colgate and Navy have clinched spots in the six-team Patriot League tournament. Sitting just two points behind the league leaders with two conference games remaining, the Terriers will be aiming to push their way into first or second place and gain a first-round bye and potential home-field advantage.
While BU is the defending Patriot League champion, Feldman said this year’s team could not simply rely on previous success to carry them.
“You can rest on what was, and that’s not going to get it done,” Feldman said. “This year’s team has to blaze its own path.”
However, the road will not be easy for the defending Patriot League champions. After playing 10th-place American University at Nickerson Field this coming Sunday, the Terriers will travel to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania the following weekend to take on the Bison (8-7-2, 3-3-1 Patriot League).
While American (3-12, 0-6 Patriot League) has yet to win a Patriot League contest, the Terriers’ loss to ninth-place Loyola (5-8-2, 1-3-2 Patriot League) proves that the victory is anything but assured. Meanwhile, Bucknell is riding a five-game home-unbeaten streak.
Feldman’s squad will also have its eye on the rest of the league as the postseason picture solidifies. The Raiders will take on Lehigh (4-4-5, 2-1-4 Patriot League) Saturday and finish up conference play on the road at American. Navy will visit Loyola this Sunday and end its regular season campaign with a pivotal home game against Army (6-7-3, 3-1-3 Patriot League).
Before taking on the Terriers, the Bison will play at the College of the Holy Cross on Saturday. In their penultimate regular season game, the Black Knights will host Lafayette College on Saturday. BU will hope for underdog victories from the Crusaders (9-4-3, 1-4-2 Patriot League) and the Leopards (5-9, 2-5 Patriot League).
Feldman said she hopes the strong play exhibited in Wednesday’s win over the Raiders will carry over into their final regular season matchups.
“We’ve seen what we’re capable of when we’re focused and confident,” she said. “It’s having the right mentality and the right approach in every game. There’s a learning curve to that. I’m really hopeful that now that the end is near, we’re going to approach every game the same way.”
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
