Women's Soccer Team's Dream Season Ends, 4-1
November 12, 2000 | Women's Soccer
NCAA Soccer Championship Web Site
HANOVER, N.H. -- The players from this year's women's soccer team awakened on Monday (November 13) to the realization that their dream season had ended the day before (November 12) on a cold afternoon in Hanover, NH. There, on a wet, pot mark filled field, they bowed to Dartmouth, 4-1, in the second round of the NCAA Division 1 Women's Soccer Tournament.
They also had the realization that while they lost the battle to the Big Green, they had won the war that stretched 23 games over the 2000 season.
"We accomplished everything we had hoped to when the season began," said head coach Nancy Feldman, who guided the Terriers to a record-breaking 16-7-0 season.
In this, just the sixth season as a varsity program, the Terriers won their first-ever regular-season America East title with a perfect 9-0-0 season.
Then, in the first round of the conference tournament, they defeated Towson, 3-0, to earn a spot in the championship game against three-time defending champion University of Hartford. Earlier in the year, B.U. upset the Hawks, 3-0. To show that was anything but a fluke, the Terriers defeated Hartford again, 4-1, to win their first-ever post-season title.
With that win, B.U made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament. In the first round, they eliminated Holy Cross, 1-0, to advance to the second round.
There, they met old nemesis Dartmouth.
The Big Green, who defeated the Terriers earlier in the season, 3-0, put an end to the most successful season in school history.
"We know we had our work cut out for us this afternoon," said Feldman, who is the 2000 America East Coach of the Year. "They are a fine team.
"Our goal was to keep the game scoreless for as long as we could," continued Feldman, who has taken the Terriers from a club team in 1994 to the America East champion in 2000 and compiled an overall record of 76-37-5.
The scoreless streak ended at 13:48 of the game when Dartmouth's Devon Haskell's shot beat Terrier junior goalkeeper Danielle Demers (Portland, ME) to the upper left corner of the goal.
"We have learned that the first goal is very important," Feldman said after the game. "When they scored that goal, it was very discouraging, and it really deflated us."
Dartmouth upped the lead to 2-0 at 26:14 when Jen Murray received a pretty pass from Laura Ashley in the box and beat Demers to the far side.
"Their first two goals were terrific plays," said Feldman. "At that point, we really lost our composure and confidence."
It wasn't until the second half that the Terriers managed to get it back.
Unfortunately, in the opening minutes of the half, Ashley upped Dartmouth's lead to 3-0.
"I think at that point we began to play our best soccer of the game," said Feldman. "In fact, I was very pleased with how we played in the second half."
Held to just two shots in the first 45 minutes of play, the Terriers had five shots on goal in the second half.
The Terriers were able to convert one of those shots into a goal.
It came at 60:59, and it began with a corner kick by freshman Casey Fitzgerald (Springfield). Her kick pulled Dartmouth goalkeeper Kristen Luckenbill out into the box. Luckenbill was unable to control the kick and the ball was loose.
The Terriers managed to get off a couple of shots, but Dartmouth defenders were there to clear the ball away from the goal-all the shots with the exception of one.
Sophomore Allison Merkle (Baltimore, MD) collected the last of the loose balls and booted it home to cut the deficit to 3-1.
That's as close as the Terriers would get.
Then, in the 87th minute, Dartmouth's Anne Peick picked off a rebound just to the left of Demers and booted it into the empty net. It was unfortunate because Demers had just made an incredible leg save off Dartmouth's Jen Murray, but the ball was loose for Peick.
The game marked the end of the outstanding careers of seniors Deidre Enos (Milton), who set single-season records this year for goals (20) and points (43) as she was named the America East Player of the Year for the second straight year. Enos also finished as the school's all-time leader in goals (51) and points (121), while she was second in assists (19).
The game also marked the end of the career for senior Mary-Beth Magner (Plymouth), who concluded her career with 16 goals and 15 assists for 47 points. Both the goal and point totals rank fifth on the Terriers' all-time list, while the assist total ranks fourth.
"We thought we could spring Deidre today," Feldman said of her hopes for the Terrier attack. "But, Dartmouth shut her down and did a great job neutralizing her."
The Terrier coach then looked to next year.
"We have the corps of this year's team coming back next season," said Feldman. "These players know what it's like to win a conference championship and play in the NCAA Tournament.
"We need to get stronger and more confident, but we can certainly build on this year's success next season."
Maybe next year, then, the team will wake up from its dream a little later in the season.
Boston University (16-7-0) 0 1 -- 1
Dartmouth 2 2 -- 4
Scoring First Half: Dartmouth, Devon Haskell (Jen Murray), 13:48
Dartmouth, Murray (Laura Ashley), 26:14
Second Half: Dartmouth, Ashley (Murray), 47:39
B.U., Allison Merkle (unassisted), 60:59
Dartmouth, Anne Peick), 86:31
Shots: B.U., 7; Dartmouth, 13
Saves: Danielle Demers, B.U., 3; Kristen Luckenbill, Dartmouth, 1
Corner Kicks: B.U., 8; Dartmouth, 4
