After a regular season that saw the Boston University women’s lacrosse team finish 9-7 and 6-3 in the Patriot League, the Terriers are now gearing up for a postseason run.
After thrashing American University by a score of 17-6, their largest margin of victory all season, the Terriers are set to face Lafayette College in the first round of the Patriot League tournament. The victory over American (3-13, 1-8 Patriot League) clinched the fourth seed in the Patriot League tournament.
Securing a top 4 seed meant securing a home game for the first round of the tournament, something the Terriers have now done for the four straight years they have been in the Patriot League.
In each of the past three years, the Terriers have used homefield to their advantage, getting past the first round in each year. The one thing missing of the Terriers has been a Patriot League championship appearance, as they have failed to advance past the semifinals each year.
BU head coach Liz Robertshaw says not having to open the tournament on the road holds a lot of advantages for her squad.
“We love our field — the girls love waking in their own beds and not having to travel,” Robertshaw said. “It’s been a big deal being able to host this first round. We worked hard for it and I’m definitely looking forward to having that home game.”
Pacing the Terriers thus far has been senior goalkeeper Caroline Meegan, freshman attacker Kailey Conry and junior attackers Mickenzie Larivee and Avery Donahoe.
Meegan leads the Patriot League in saves per game (12.47) as well as save percentage (.521) and is the only Patriot League goalie to have saved more than half of the shots against her. The Lutherville, Maryland native was recently named Corvias Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week for her performance.
Conry has also had a large part in the Terriers’ success. After graduating a large senior class from the 2016 campaign, BU was facing a large hole in offensive production, one that Conry has filled thus far. The Needham native leads the Patriot League in assists per game (3.33), which ranks fifth in the nation.
Along with Meegan, Conry was named the Corvias Patriot League Rookie of the Week. In addition to the weekly honor, Conry was named to Second Team All-Patriot League along with senior defender Janelle Macone, while Meegan was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and landed on spot on the First Team.
Proud of our three All-@PL_WLacrosse honorees! #GoBU #RISE pic.twitter.com/TwCvJgDl0D
— BU Womens Lacrosse (@TerrierLacrosse) May 1, 2017
Robertshaw has lauded Conry’s performance not only for herself, but for what it allows her teammates to do.
“It’s been huge for our team and our attacking style,” Robertshaw said of Conry’s play. “It’s really complemented [senior attacker] Taylor Hardison and Avery Donahoe. It’s opened up more scoring and made us more threatening. It’s not just a one-person show back there.”
On the season, Lafayette has proven very inconsistent, coming into the matchup having lost three in a row, which cost them an opportunity for a home playoff game. The Leopards have been led by senior attacker Kirsten Wilhelmsen, who has notched 63 goals and 23 assists, giving her a team-high 86 points. The Wallingford, Pennsylvania native leads the Patriot League in goals per game (3.71), points per game (5.06) and shots per game (7.82). She was recognized as Patriot League Attacker of the Year.
The Terriers’ defense has been solid all season, allowing the fourth fewest goals in the Patriot League. Though Meegan is one the best goalies in the Patriot League, Robertshaw and her defense want to prevent Wilhelmsen from getting any good looks on goal.
“We need to limit her looks,” Robertshaw said. “I think she is one of the top attackers in the conference, she’s already proven that. We need to limit the amount of time the ball is in her stick and making sure a double team is there.”
