A trio of freshmen scored a combined five goals over the weekend for the No. 16 ranked Boston University field hockey team, finishing up with a two-game sweep at the Terrier Classic.
Boston University first knocked off Bryant University 4-0 on Friday, then went on to upend the University of New Hampshire 1-0 on Sunday to capture the tournament’s title.
The successive victories were the first countable games of the 2017 regular season for the Terriers, and the first consecutive shutout of opponents to open a season since 1992.
“We had a really successful opening weekend,” Boston University head coach Sally Starr said.
In the season opening victory over Bryant, several Terriers achieved notable feats. Freshmen Miya Denison, Ailsa Connolly and Petra Hall all scored their first career goals in the 4-0 win.
Starr alluded to returning depth at the end of last season. Despite losing eight seniors from a season ago, the Terriers certainly look “reloaded,” as Starr said, and poised to succeed once again.
Hall tallied two strikes, including a diving effort to cap off the first victory. The Masterton, New Zealand native led a group of nine freshmen that looked comfortable all weekend playing for the Terriers.
“All nine freshman, without exception, have shown the ability to step in and play which has been very helpful for us,” Starr said following the tournament. “Every freshman on our roster made contributions to our success.”
In the opening victory, BU’s defense surrendered just one shot attempt to the Bryant Bulldogs (0-3). BU also amassed 12 corner attempts while not allowing any extra tries for Bryant.
Junior Bridget Egan earned her first two career points, assisting on the opening and closing tallies of the contest.
Patriot League field hockey preseason all-league team and Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honoree Ally Hammel and senior captain Grace Boston added the two other assists.
For Egan, her first two career points should help jump start an important season for one of the team’s veteran players.
“Bridget can be one of the best players on the field. She’s fast, she’s athletic and skilled and I think she’ll be a big player for us as the season progresses.” Starr said, “She can be outstanding and I’m really happy for her to have this success early in the season and it will give her confidence to build on.”
Connolly netted her second career tally as the lone goal in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over New Hampshire. Fellow newcomer Maggie New assisted for her first career point.
Junior Kathleen Keegan and freshman Millie Baker combined in goal for the weekend shutout. Keegan stopped all six shots she faced this weekend and is looking to improving her career mark of not allowing a goal through her first 98:51. Baker saved three shots in the second game after seeing no shots on goal in her collegiate debut against Bryant.
Starr and company embark on a five-game road stretch beginning with an appearance at the Miami Invitational held in Oxford, Ohio this coming weekend. The Terriers will face both Ball State University and Miami University before traveling back to the Northeast.
However, Starr said the Terriers refuse to look too far ahead and will focus on the most proximal task.
“We just have to remember that we’re a young team and we’ll be a work in progress,” Starr said regarding her talented, yet inexperienced squad. “It’s not always going to be pretty but we’ve already formed a close knit identity. We just need to continue to take it one practice at a time, one film session at a time and just get better every day.”
