The elevation of the Terrier field hockey program from Division II status in 1982 to Division I national semifinalists in 1985 is one of the program's more memorable accomplishments, and one to which Terry Geldart contributed greatly.
One of a select group of freshmen to start for the Terriers, Geldart helped BU compile a 7-9-2 record in 1982, establishing a school record for wins in a season, while marking their final year at the Division II level.
Although the team had some initial difficulty at the next level, compiling a 6-12 mark, the play of Geldart, who provided four goals and two assists, hinted at a more promising future.
The Terriers began to enjoy that future the following year, when they rolled to a 9-5-3 mark, and received a bid to the ECAC Tournament, where they suffered a 1-0 loss to Ursinus in a game decided on penalty strokes. Geldart, the team captain, was also named team MVP.
While the Terriers' initial success was certainly noteworthy, no one could have predicted what the following year would bring.
BU, in just its third year in Division I and eighth in program history, rolled to a 17-4-2 mark, posted 16 shutouts, and scored NCAA Tournament triumphs over Massachusetts and New Hampshire en route to the Final Four. Geldart, who led the team in scoring with 12 goals and 4 assists, scored the lone goal in the 2-1 semifinal loss to UConn.
Geldart earned Second Team All-America honors, as well as First Team All-Region, Boston Four Player of the Year and her second team MVP recognition.
She finished her field hockey career with 19 goals and 8 assists for 46 points, which as of 2003 is good for 19th on the Terrier all-time scoring list.
Her competitive season did not end in the fall. A four-year starter on the lacrosse team, Geldart netted 21 goals and added 13 assists for 34 career points. A true testament to her diverse athletic skills came during the 1984 season in which she was the team's goalkeeper.
Prior to graduation in 1986, Terry Geldart was presented the Gretchen Schuyler Award as the University's top female student-athlete.Â
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