Freshmen playing like seasoned veterans
Nine newcomers on the Boston University field hockey team are already making an immediate impact on the field.
The Terriers (4-0) won their first two games against Bryant University and the University of New Hampshire thanks to goals scored by freshmen — Ailsa Connolly, Miya Denison and Petra Hall.
Coming off of the bench for the Terriers, Hall and Denison share the team lead in goals with two and both are second in points with four.
On the defensive end, Head Coach Sally Starr utilizes depth in goal, splitting time in net between goalkeepers freshman Millie Baker and junior Kathleen Keegan.
“As of right now Kathleen and Millie are really even in practices and competitions so they both have the opportunity to play,” Starr said. “It’s working for us right now.”
Baker has allowed only one lone goal and kept opponents scoreless in her first three appearances.
The Terriers’ goaltending duo rank among the top of the Patriot League in goals against average, saves, saves per game and shutouts.
With only two sophomores, six juniors and four seniors making up the rest of the roster, the freshmen outnumber each of the following class years, but seamlessly transitioned to playing with the upperclassmen.
Starr said she was not too surprised by the immediate success her freshman have found.
“Everybody that we brought in when we recruited really had played a pretty high level of field hockey themselves so the adjustment has really not been a big jump for them,” Starr said. “They’ve played for national programs and really good club programs that play a really high level of hockey.”
Terriers sweep Miami Invitational, upperclassmen get on scoreboard
This past weekend at the Miami Invitational Tournament, the No. 15 Terriers continued their season-opening four-game winning streak with victories against Ball State University and the University of Miami. This past weekend included the first games of the season to see upperclassmen on the scoreboard.
In the 2-1 triumph over Ball State on Saturday, juniors Maika Akroyd and Allie Doggett fed assists for goals to junior Kara Enoch and senior Grace Boston, respectively.
On Sept. 2 against Ball State, BU held a 17-2 advantage in shots taken and an 11-1 advantage in penalty corners. Similarly, on Sept. 4 against Miami, the Terriers outnumbered the team 9-5 in corners.
“In our game against Bryant we did not earn any penalty corners, so that had been a point of emphasis for us in practice to take advantage of circle penetrations and creating more corner opportunities if we can’t get the goal shot off,” Starr said.
Terriers have multiple offensive weapons
Monday’s victory over Miami saw scoring action from sophomore Hana Sinno, Boston and Denison.
Boston, the team captain, currently leads the Terriers with five points.
Sinno’s goal was the first in her career as she missed her entire freshman campaign due to injury.
The Terriers have points from 13 different players with goals being scored by six players.
Not showing up in the box score much this season is junior Ally Hammel. However, defenses still need to worry about her as her 12 points during her sophomore campaign were good for a share of fourth place on the team.
“Having so many different people scoring is awesome,” Starr said. “We aren’t relying on one or two people. The goal production is coming from multiple positions and multiple people which is great.”
Starr referenced team chemistry as something they work hard at during preseason, and the results show on the field now.
“We do a lot of team building activities and our team and our program is known for having a culture of inclusiveness,” Starr said. “We don’t have a hierarchy. It’s not like the seniors are the big women on campus or anything. Everybody has a value, everybody has a contribution to make. They really enjoy being together and working hard together. They just want to keep getting better and better everyday.”
