The Boston University field hockey team fell to Harvard University in a 2-1 loss at Berylson Field on Sunday.
Stifled by the Crimson (9-1) defense in the first half, the Terriers (5-5, 2-1 Patriot League) quickly remembered their last bout against the No. 9 Harvard University team, which ended in a 7-0 shutout loss. Throughout the first thirty minutes of play, Harvard amassed four shots on goal, while BU had none.
“We were really coming in today knowing that we had to defend really, really well to have an opportunity to be successful,” said head coach Sally Starr. “[I’m] really, really pleased with how we competed, how we played, how we persisted against an outstanding team.”
The Terriers held the Crimson to zero goals through the first half and well into the third quarter until Harvard senior midfielder Emily Guckian cracked through BU’s defensive wall with a goal, beating the defense of graduate goalkeeper Kate Thomason. One minute later, Harvard freshman forward Emily Bronckers capitalized on a high shot from up close to double the lead.
The Terriers found themselves fighting against a two-goal deficit going into the fourth quarter, but remained persistent. Gaining possession and holding the line, BU increased the pressure in the last frame.
Fifty-two minutes in, BU sustained possession in Harvard’s end and sent a flurry of shots toward Harvard junior goalkeeper Tessa Shahbo. Junior midfielder Natalie Epperson scored on a rebound to get the Terriers on the board, edging one past Shahbo, who was recently named the Ivy League’s Defensive Player of the Week.
“It’s really hard to just credit one or two people in today’s game,” Starr said. “I just really felt it was a really good team effort offensively and defensively.”
BU faced seven Harvard penalty corners, and did not allow the Crimson to score on any. Throughout the game, BU was able to neutralize Harvard by making frequent substitutions, allowing their players to play with more energy, Starr said.
“Something we’ve really been able to do this year is really have a deep bench,” Starr said. “Our fourth quarter has always been our best quarter, and I think it’s because of the way that we’re able to substitute through the game.”
One constant on the field was Thomason, who made nine saves on eleven shots on goal. In her ninth appearance this season, the BU netminder kept the Terriers in the game, Starr said.
In the 35th minute, Thomason made a difficult save against Harvard senior forward Lucy Leel, sliding across the goal line to block the shot. Thomason’s season save percentage improved to .736 after Sunday’s effort against the Crimson.
Harvard extended their win streak to seven games and have won 81 consecutive games against unranked opponents. Despite the loss, Starr was pleased with her team’s performance against one of the top teams in the country.
“Even though it was a loss today, it was a confidence builder in a lot of ways,” Starr said.
The Terriers’ overall record against Harvard is 20-20-1, losing their last eight matchups against the Ivy League team.
“If we had played more patiently throughout the game and just valued possession a little bit better than we did, I think we could have been even more successful than we were today,” Starr said.
BU’s next chance to improve its record is Friday, Oct. 11 as they take on American University in Washington, D.C.
“We’re still in position to be regular season Patriot League champions,” Starr said. “That game down at American will be a pivotal game that can absolutely help determine that or not.”