The Boston University women’s soccer team finished its six-game road trip on Friday against Northeastern University, dropping a 1-0 decision before toppling Harvard University by an identical score at home on Sunday on a goal from freshman Megan McGoldrick.
Even though the Terriers (3-4-2) out-shot the Huskies (5-1-0) 19-9, they couldn’t seem to get the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Stephanie Gordon. The only goal of the game came in the ninth minute when sophomore Veronica Napoli beat BU senior goalkeeper Janie Reilly for her first goal of the season.
The Terriers came close to tying the game with five minutes left in the game, but senior forward Farrell McClernon’s effort rang off the crossbar. Gordon and the Huskies would hold on to beat the Terriers for their fifth win of the season.
However, the Terriers brought more to the table at home against Harvard University.The Terriers were not to be denied in their first home game since the Terrier Tailgate on Sunday evening, defeating the Crimson (1-5-1) in front of the home crowd. McGoldrick recorded the lone goal for the Terriers and Reilly earned the shutout with four saves.
McGoldrick’s goal came in the 28th minute, after the Crimson failed to clear the ball out of the box. From just inside the 18-yard box, McGoldrick struck a beautiful ball with her left foot to beat the keeper low on the right-side post. McGoldrick’s first collegiate goal gave the Terriers a 1-0 lead, a lead that they would not relinquish.
The Terriers continued pressing the rest of the game, taking advantage of the open field the Crimson gave them. Senior Mara Osher gave the team a much-needed spark, making several stellar plays, including a wonderful cross that was sent wide by a Terriers player. Although she was kept off the score sheet, she was all over the Crimson, as were the rest of the Terriers.
The game looked to be in hand with around five minutes left, but Reilly would have to come up big for the Terriers to preserve their lead. On a cross that made its way into the box, a Crimson player headed the ball on net in what seemed to be a sure goal. However, Reilly made a remarkable save, punching the ball over the net to end the Crimson threat.
BU coach Nancy Feldman had high praise for the way her goaltender has played of late.
‘She took her game to another level against [the University of Connecticut] and she has a lot of experience,’ Feldman said. ‘[Penn State University] was really a tough game for her, but she has bounced back and played very well for us. I still think we have our best soccer ahead of us.’
The Terriers last beat the Crimson three years ago to the day on Sept. 20, 2006. The Terriers are now 3-0 at Nickerson Field, a record that doesn’t surprise Feldman.
‘Our goal is to win all of our home games,’ Feldman said. ‘There is an added incentive to win when you are playing at home because you’re on your own field. We make it a priority to win at home and we definitely made it a priority to win today. We needed to win today after the road trip and we got off on the right foot.’
The Terriers look to keep their undefeated record at home when they host Dartmouth College on Thursday at 7 p.m.
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