After opening the season ranked third in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, the Terriers produced mixed results in their first week of competition.
The Terriers looked like different teams on Wednesday and Friday. They struggled to find the back of the net against Boston College, but managed to get some rhythm going on that end of the field on Friday.
Wednesday — Boston College wins 16-6 over BU
BU opened its season at Nickerson Field against Boston College, the 14th-ranked team in Division I. The Terriers kept the score close and were locked in a 5-5 tie heading into the break before the Eagles went on an 11-1 run in the second half.
Sophomore attacker Hannah Kenneally put BU on the board in the first with an unassisted goal. Junior attacker Makenzie Irvine followed suit with two goals of her own. Freshman attacker Lauren Kaye and junior midfielder Emily Vervlied, a Patriot League Preseason All-League Team selection, also added goals later in the first period.
Senior midfielder Lexi Lewis scored the Terriers’ lone second-half goal. Lewis scooped up four ground balls throughout the course of the game, tying her career-high in that category.
Junior attacker Ava Barry picked up the assist on Makenzie Irvine’s second goal, BU’s only assisted goal of the evening.
On defense, Lewis, sophomore midfielder Riley Kokoruda, and senior attacker Kailey Conry, who was also named to the Patriot League Preseason All-League Team, caused two turnovers apiece. Senior goalie Bianca Smith registered eight saves and gave up 11 goals. Sophomore goalie Kennady Smith finished off the game with one save and five goals allowed.
The Terriers were unable to get a handle on Boston College attacker Charlotte North. The highly-touted transfer scored eight goals and racked up four assists in her second game with the Eagles. Jordan Lappin and Jenn Medjid also finished with three goals each.
Friday — BU wins 17-12 over Niagara
Offense was lacking on Wednesday, but the Terriers more than made up for it against the Purple Eagles on Friday. BU scored eight goals in the first half and nine in the second and never trailed Niagara.
Barry, Conry, and Irvine each put up four points. Irvine, the Terriers’ leading scorer through the first two games, continued her hot streak from Wednesday and scored four goals on five shots. Barry added three goals and an assist, while Conry provided two goals and two assists. Kenneally, Lewis, and Vervlied each scored three points as well.
On top of taking nearly twice as many shots as the Purple Eagles, the Terriers had a massive 21-10 advantage in draw controls. Lewis was an integral part of that, winning 10 draw controls. She also picked up three ground balls and caused three turnovers.
Caused turnovers were another area where BU had an edge. Lewis, Barry, Kenneally, Vervlied, freshman midfielder Claire Gola, and sophomore midfielder Maddie MacMaster combined for 11 caused turnovers.
Bianca Smith, Kennady Smith, and freshman goalie Arielle Hammer all saw time in goal. Bianca Smith made three saves, the most of all three goalkeepers.
Senior midfielder Christine Carugati and junior midfielder Jenny Feeney also helped out on defense, collecting three ground balls.
Up Next
BU hosts Hartford at home on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. The Hawks are coming off a 16-8 loss to St. Bonaventure in their first game of the season on Friday.
Featured Image by Perry Sosi
