Field hockey to defend Patriot League title in 2015

Following an NCAA Tournament berth last year, the Boston University field hockey team has begun the new season under the weight of expectation, as they were unanimously chosen to top the Patriot League in 2015 by conference personnel.

The Terriers (1-1) enjoyed one of their best campaigns of the Sally Starr-era last fall. Behind their National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Hall of Fame coach, they waltzed to an 11-7 regular season record before heading into the Patriot League Tournament as the No. 2 seed. They made quick work of the defending conference champions, American University, beating their semifinal opponent 3-1. The next day, they snatched the Patriot League championship from regular season title-holders Bucknell University in a 2-1 affair.

The conference title marked the program’s first as a member of the Patriot League and ninth under Starr’s direction. The win also sent BU to its 11th NCAA Tournament appearance, where they fell to No. 4 Syracuse University in a 2-1 nail-biter.

Although the Terriers fell short of their own aspirations with their first-round defeat, the season was a resounding success in other ways. Junior forward Amanda Cassera led the Patriot League in goals (14) and points (32). Meanwhile, midfielders Sofi Laurito and Hester van der Laan flew around the field and tallied 18 points and 17 points throughout the 2014 campaign, respectively. At the back, senior Rachel Coll starred on penalty corner inserts and helped to organize a defense that limited opponents to 1.57 goals per game.

According to Starr, the 2014 season is a sign of things to come this fall.

“We’re really looking forward to taking advantage of the momentum we established last year,” Starr said, “with returning so many starters and also some upperclassmen that didn’t start but have returned and are really doing well. [Sophomore midfielder/forward] Grace Boston is a player who didn’t get a lot of playing time [because] she had a broken ankle last year. And then [there are] some freshmen who are really making an immediate impact, three freshmen in particular: [midfielder/backer] Allie Doggett, [forward] Ally Hammel and [forward] Kara Enoch.”

Starr’s key newcomers have filled the stat sheet already through two games. Boston registered her first career goal in a 4-3 win over the University of New Hampshire last Friday. Enoch has also contributed, delivering two assists off the bench against the Wildcats (1-1). Enoch, along with BU’s other reserves, will look to be a major factor in the team’s success going forward.

“I feel we have more depth this year,” Starr said. “We can keep fresher legs out on the field. Last year, our bench was really kind of nonexistent. We pretty much went with our 11 players last year. This year we definitely have more talent coming off the bench. We can hopefully play faster, play better, play at a better work rate and sustain it longer because we’re able to substitute.”

Aside from their depth, the Terriers are strong at the top with four seniors and eight juniors leading the way in 2015. In addition to Coll and Laurito, backers Katie Bernatchez and Rachel Feig will look to help steer BU to a second consecutive conference championship, while junior forwards Taylor Blood and Sara Martineau look to take the next step after promising 2014 campaigns. Starr is certain that this team’s experience will prove pivotal to their title defense.

“Last year, we didn’t have very many seniors,” Starr said. “We had great leadership from Valentina [Cerda Eimbcke] and Chrissy Toomey as well, who didn’t play a lot but she gave a lot of leadership … On the field, we really only had one senior, and that was in goal. So definitely having that experience on the field is helping us a whole lot. … Our upperclassmen [have] leadership and the ability to make great plays when the game is really on the line.”

With two-time Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year Eimbcke gone due to graduation, netminder is a critical position for the Terriers in the 2015. Unproven junior Cammy Jensen has taken up the mantle admirably thus far, saving 61.5 percent of her chances through two starts. Starr has been impressed with Jensen’s work in the cage thus far, while remaining conscious of the position’s precariousness.

“She’s been doing really well,” Starr said. “She played very well in the scrimmages, she played very well in the games so far, she’s practicing well. Obviously, coming into the season, goalkeeping is a question mark just because of who graduated and it’s really the only unknown spot on our roster. But I’m really pleased with how Jensen is doing … She’s answered the question and I think we have a very good goalie behind us this year.”