Senior striker Jenna Fisher netted the game-winning goal Friday evening in the Patriot League semifinal game against Loyola University Maryland, advancing the Boston University women’s soccer team to the title match for the third year in a row.
With the win, the Terriers will play Bucknell University on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Nickerson Field in the conference title game.
BU (11-5-3, 8-0-1 Patriot League) went into the game on a five-game winning streak, but Loyola (6-10-2, 4-4-1 Patriot League) proved to be a formidable opponent. After a scoreless first half, both teams broke through in the final frame, but the Terriers ultimately bested the Greyhounds 2-1.
The Greyhounds attacked early, sending the ball towards senior goalkeeper Alyssa Parisi just 25 seconds into the first frame, but the Terrier netminder poked it away. Aggressive offensive players on either team attempted to advance, only to be shut down by strong defenders.
Senior defender McKenzie Hollenbaugh proved she deserved Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year honors on the back line. She stopped multiple Greyhound attacks, and prevented Parisi from having to make more saves.
Parisi did not have to make a save in the first half, as the Greyhounds registered just four shots.
While BU’s defense got the job done in the first frame, the Terriers looked less than comfortable on offense. Maintaining possession in the middle zone proved a challenge, and the Greyhounds got four corner kicks before the halftime buzzer.
BU coach Nancy Feldman said her team’s jitters and anxiety were due to the bye the team received in the quarterfinal round.
“The advantage is you’re rested,” Feldman said. “The disadvantage is you haven’t experienced tournament soccer yet. The other team has.”
“I think we did a good job of feeling our way into the game,” Feldman continued. “We gave up a little too many corner kicks for my liking that’s really what they had there, the biggest threat in the first half. I thought we were a little hesitant and passive in our defending. We gave them a little too much space. It’s kind of what I expected. The fact that we went into half time 0-0, I was okay with that.”
Feldman wanted her team to go into the final 45 minutes at a higher pace, and “turn the dial up” on the defense.
Both teams entered the second half with a higher energy level. Less than a minute in, senior midfielder Clare Pleuler sent a header towards goal, but Loyola goalkeeper Colleen Folan collected it. Shortly after, senior Rosy Hayes fired a direct free kick toward Parisi, who jumped to paw the ball out of the air for her first save of the game.
Hayes was named Offensive Player of the Year by the Patriot League. She put up three of Loyola’s eight shots, but the conference Goalkeeper of the Year, Parisi, stood strong.
Just over ten minutes into the second half, junior defender Rachel Bloznalis took a free kick from midfield. The ball sailed over every player on the field, bounced in front of Loyola goalkeeper Colleen Folan, and hopped into the net.
But Loyola quickly answered. Two minutes later, Hayes sent a corner kick in front of the net and defender Nicole Wahlig was there to send the header past Parisi. The Terriers had not allowed a goal since Oct. 6, an entire month before the semifinal match.
The next 25 minutes consisted of a fast-paced battle. Each team exchanged attacks. Loyola added four shots in the second half, for a total of eight on the night. The Terriers outshot them with 17 for the game.
Pleuler and Fisher led BU with three shots apiece. Both contributed to the Terriers’ game winning goal.
With seven minutes remaining in regulation, Pleuler sent a free kick on net. Folan snatched the ball from the air, fell to the ground and lost her grip on the ball. Fisher rushed the net, and sent the ball rolling into the goal.
With only minutes remaining in Loyola’s season, the Greyhounds fought back. But in all their previous games in which they gave up two goals, the Greyhounds could not find a way to win. Friday was no different.
Fisher had not scored a goal in the past three matches, and entered the game more determined than ever.
“I think definitely as it could have been one of our last games and as a senior one of my last games we really had to come out with a sense of urgency but also try to stay calm and controlled,” Fisher said.
“Jenna has a heart that’s bigger than her body,” Feldman said of Fisher “She’s not a big player, not physically big, but the kid has just got such a strong will and such a big heart that she plays outside herself. She’s just so focused and she’s so committed and willing to work and persistent.”
