Getting to the goal was no problem for the Boston University women’s lacrosse team on Sunday. Behind nine points from senior attacker Kailey Conry, BU steamrolled Hartford, 22-3, for its second victory of the season.
The Terriers (2-1) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Just 14 seconds into the game, sophomore attacker Hannah Kenneally effortlessly weaved her way to the goal and scored off an assist from Conry. BU quickly built up an 8-0 lead off goals from Kenneally, Conry, junior attacker Makenzie Irvine, junior attacker Ava Barry, and junior midfielder Emily Vervlied.
After Hartford attacker Birdie Montes finally scored for the Hawks, freshman midfielder Jennifer Barry and senior midfielder Lexi Lewis responded with their own goals. Freshman attacker Lauren Kaye finished off the first period with a hat trick, the first of her career.
Conry assisted on six of the Terriers’ 13 goals in the first half. The Terriers’ points leader netted two of her own goals during the period as well.
BU kept on cooking in the second half. Senior midfielder Mackenzie Howe, sophomore attacker Alexandra Hark, junior attacker Bridget McCarthy, sophomore attacker Caroline Pinho, and sophomore midfielder Maddie MacMaster all recorded their first goals of the season.
Head coach Lauren Morton had the opportunity to play different lineups because the Hawks could not buy a stop on defense. The Terriers had no trouble cutting to the goal behind a permeable Hartford defense. Hartford defenders were easily fooled and often found themselves standing and watching as Terrier after Terrier blew past them.
Hartford did not have much better luck on the offensive end. The Hawks spent most of their time at their own goal and managed only seven shots on goal all afternoon, essentially giving BU’s three goalies the day off. Sophomore goalie Kennady Smith managed two saves, and freshman goalie Arielle Hammer had one.
The Hawks were also unable to clear against the Terriers’ tenacious defense. Hartford went 8-of-17 on clear attempts and turned the ball over 17 times. Conry, Lewis, Jennifer Barry, freshman midfielder Claire Gola, junior midfielder Jenny Feeney, and senior midfielder Christine Carugati all forced turnovers.
Lewis helped give BU a major edge in ground balls and draw controls. Lewis picked up four ground balls and won eight draws. Howe secured four draw controls of her own, while Gola and Jennifer Barry nabbed two ground balls each.
The Terriers thoroughly trounced Hartford, but they will have to face a much tougher opponent in Dartmouth next week. The Big Green have only played one game thus far, but it was a 15-11 road victory against 15th-ranked UMass. BU and Dartmouth square off in Hanover on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
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