The No. 25 Boston University Field Hockey team lost 1-0 to the Bucknell University Bison (3-3, 1-0 Patriot League) on Saturday to drop their record to 3-4 (0-1 Patriot League). It was BU’s first conference loss at home since 2013. They had won 17 straight home games in league pay.
BU had their chances to score but were unable to do so, despite taking 13 shots and five corners. It was the first time they were shut out this season.
Terrier head coach Sally Starr said the team fought hard, but not necessarily smart.
“You want to play fast,” she said, “you want to play with urgency, but you don’t want to be frantic and I think at times we were frantic.”
After a slow start with no shots from either teams in the first quarter, both offenses found their groove in the second quarter with eight combined shots. However, there was still no goals on the board when halftime hit.
The Bison were able to strike just under seven minutes into the third quarter when freshman forward Maddie Rehak flicked a shot over freshman goalie Caroline Kelly. It was the only goal Bucknell needed that day to secure a victory.
“It was a tough shot to save. I think she played really well,” Starr said. “I think she made some quality saves.”
The Terriers applied good pressure in hopes of tying the game but were unable to score. BU had five shots and three corners in the fourth quarter but the Bucknell defense held strong to preserve the shut out.
“We should be a good enough team that one goal should not be the difference. We need to have the ability to score two goals, three goals,” Starr said.
Leading goal scorer Ailsa Connolly, a junior, was visibly upset after a missed shot in the fourth quarter, smashing her stick in frustration. It was the first time Connolly didn’t have a goal or assist in a game this season.
“I think what I love about this team is,they battle the whole time,” Starr said. “I think they have a belief that they can find a way to win the game. I just think we need to be more poised.”
The Terriers will be back in action when they take on the No. 4 University of Connecticut Huskies next Sunday in Storrs, Connecticut. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m.
