During a weekend road trip to the Blue Hen Classic in Newark, Del., the No. 14 Boston University field hockey team split a pair of neck-and-neck games, falling 3-2 in overtime to Temple University Saturday before defeating the University of Delaware yesterday, 1-0.
Saturday against Temple, the Terriers (2-1) surrendered consecutive goals to Owls junior Mandi Ruth less than a minute apart to put Temple (3-0) ahead early.
“Putting ourselves in an early deficit, 2-0, I don’t think we came out with the intensity and competitiveness that we needed to,” BU coach Sally Starr said. “We couldn’t match Temple for the first 15 to 20 minutes and got ourselves in a hole.”
BU sophomore Allie Dolce responded less than five minutes later with an unassisted goal from 10 yards out, her first as a Terrier. The tally sparked the offense, leading to the tying goal when sophomore Maryette Stuart converted a penalty shot early in the second half.
At the end of regulation, the Terriers had outshot the Owls 20-5 and held a 10-6 advantage in penalty corners.
“Considering the circumstances, I was really happy with the way we responded to [the deficit],” Starr said. “Statistically, we absolutely dominated the game. Corners, shots, everything — we took the game over in the second half.”
In overtime, the Owls started off with the first corner and took full advantage of it, as junior Dannah Brehm ended the contest at 74:31.
Despite sophomore goalkeeper Kim Kastuk’s three saves and the overall sting from the tough loss, Starr said she was “really pleased with the way the team played and the way we responded to being down early and made some improvements.”
The Terriers were fighting more than just the opposition Saturday, as remnants of tropical storm Hanna ravaged the field and caused “horrific” conditions, Starr said.
“The wind was blowing, driving down, and it was absolutely some of the worst weather conditions I’ve ever seen,” she said. “It was a tropical storm right on top of us.”
Under sunnier skies yesterday, the Terriers were pitted against the tournament host Blue Hens (0-4). Freshman Giovanna Monaco’s first collegiate goal was the game’s only tally, coming in the 29th minute on a pass from Dolce. Once again, the Terriers outshot their opponent, this time 7-3 while holding a 4-1 margin in penalty corners.
The Terrier defense also did its part, allowing one shot on goal to help Kastuk earn her second shutout of the season.
“Our strikers are being much more effective defensively,” Starr said. “We really did a good job taking Delaware out of their game and their comfort zone a little bit.
“Delaware’s a very, very good team, and I’m really pleased with getting the victory. They’re an excellent team, and it was a hard-fought game. We matured as a team significantly this weekend.”
Next up for the Terriers, who have featured six different goal scorers this season, is a two-game homestand this coming weekend against No. 10 Michigan State University and Northeastern University.
