Field Hockey Set To Defend America East Title
October 31, 2000 | Field Hockey
BOSTON, MA -- The 14th-ranked Boston University field hockey team, the 1999 America East Conference champions, opens the defense of its title on Thursday, November 2 against the University of Delaware at 7:30 p.m. on Nickerson Field. It is B.U.'s 11th-straight appearance in the conference tournament.
The Terriers, who finished 13-7 overall, 6-2 in the conference are the No. 2 seed. Delaware, which was 8-11, 5-3, is the third seed. Top seed New Hampshire (13-6, 7-1) will face No. 4 Drexel (13-6, 5-3) at 5 p.m. on Thursday, also at Nickerson Field. The Terriers are host to the championship as they are the highest seeded team with a turf field. The championship game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 4.
"We couldn't be in a better position entering the tournament," head coach Sally Starr said. "We have great energy, great chemistry, we're healthy and we're peaking at the right time."
Should the Terriers win the conference championship, they will host a play-in game against Rider University, champions of the Northeast Conference, in a play-in game on Tuesday, November 7 at 1 p.m.
The Terriers, winners of five of their past six games, are peaking at the right time. Head coach Sally Starr's team looked as sharp as it's been all season with a 4-1 win over a tough Harvard team at home on October 29. Senior forward Kelly Clothier (Philadelphia, PA) netted her first two-goal game of her Terrier career in the win. Starr is now 237-139-21 in 20 seasons as the Terriers coach, which includes 14-straight seasons with 10 or more victories.
Junior forward Jane Rogers (Watertown, MA) leads the Terriers in scoring with 5-11-21 in 20 games. Rogers, who is currently riding a six-game point-scoring streak, with 1-8-10 in that span, finished ninth in the conference in scoring. Senior forward Kate Cusick (Allentown, PA) is second on the team with 6-5-17 in 20 games, followed by senior midfielder Robyn Kenney (Whitehouse Station, NJ) who had 6-4-16 also in 20 games.
"Kelly Clothier really came on strong at the end of the season," said Starr. "The entire forward unit is really beginning to play well now."
Junior goalkeeper Susan Harrington has been the backbone for the Terriers this season, compiling a 1.62 goals against average, .794 save percentage and three shutouts playing every minute of every game. She finished as the second-best goalkeeper in the conference.
"Our defense is really getting stingy," said Starr.
Against the Competition The Terriers defeated Delaware at home, 3-2 on September 24. Casey Holman had a pair of goals, including the game-winner.
"It will be a battle for sure," said Starr. "We're both very different teams from when we played earlier in the season. I think as long as we take care of our own business, we'll be fine."
In one of the hardest-fought games of the season, B.U. fell at UNH, 2-1 in two overtimes on October 11. Susan Harrington had 14 saves.
B.U. defeated Drexel, 2-1 in Philadelphia on October 6. Felicia Cappabianca had a goal and an assist to pace the Terriers.
"It's going to be a tough opening match," said Starr. "UNH and Drexel are two very talented teams."
