Field Hockey Defeats UNH 2-1, Captures America East Championship
November 4, 2000 | Field Hockey
BOSTON, Mass. (November 4) -- Freshman Christina Strauss (Newburyport, MA) scored on a scramble in front with 3:18 left in regulation to lift the second-seeded Boston University field hockey team to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over No. 1 New Hampshire in the America East Championship at Nickerson Field on Saturday.
B.U. will now host Rider University, the champions of the Northeast Conference, in an NCAA play-in game on November 7 at 1 p.m. on Nickerson Field.
It is the second-straight conference championship for the Terriers, and fourth overall.
"This was truly a gratifying win," head coach Sally Starr said. "I couldn't be more proud of this team. Today is the result of hard work, sweat and tears that began last summer."
The Terriers, who have been playing some of their best hockey of the season of late, came out and took the play to the Wildcats, forcing America East First Team All-Conference goalie Amy Agulay (London, Ontario) to make seven of her 12 saves in the opening half.
B.U. applied the pressure, but UNH scored first as Jessica Russell's penalty corner shot eluded the right leg of junior goalkeeper Susan Harrington with 7:44 left in the half.
"We could have gotten down, but this team didn't quit," said Starr. "It was like riding waves today and we kept finding the crest."
The next crest came when junior forward Jane Rogers (Watertown, MA) was awarded a penalty stroke 10 minutes into the second half, but the Terriers leading scorer with 23 points in 21 games, was denied by Agulay.
The Terriers, who outshot UNH 19-5 for the game, began to press again and Kate Cusick (Allentown, PA) was able to draw B.U. even on a shot from the right of the cage with 15:13 left in regulation.
With overtime looming, it was Strauss, a redshirt last season, who provided the Terriers with the winning goal. Off a scramble in front, the ball got behind Agulay, where Strauss was there to sweep it into the cage for her fifth goal on the season.
"I'm real proud of Christina," said Starr. "She has worked tirelessly this season, she wasn't content with how she was playing and she came in and made an impact on this game."
The Wildcats attempted to gain a penalty corner in the closing seconds, but the Terrier defense stood tall and sealed the victory with smart positional play.
It was a measure of revenge for the Terriers, who lost a tough 2-1, double overtime game at New Hampshire on October 11.
"We try not to focus on the other team," said Harrington, who had three saves. "But it was definitely in the back of our minds."
"We told the team after we lost to New Hampshire in the regular season that was just a battle," said Starr. "Today we won the war."
Senior midfielder Robyn Kenney, who again was a force in the middle, was named Most Outstanding Player of the championships. Rogers, Cusick and junior midfielder Kerry Carney (Yorktown Heights, NY) were also named to the All-Tournament team. Starr also praised her coaching staff as a big reason behind the Terriers' success.
"My assistants have provided veteran leadership this season," Starr said. "They have really helped us maximize our abilities."
The next crest comes Tuesday against Rider.
2000 America East All-Tournament Team Heather Haigh, Drexel Pamie Zukowski, Drexel Megan Fortunato, Delaware Katie Phillips, Delaware Halden Forbes, New Hampshire Jessica Russell, New Hampshire Kelly Stowe, New Hampshire Jane Rogers, BU Kate Cusick, BU Robyn Kenney, BU Kerry Carney, BU
Most Outstanding Player: Robyn Kenney, BU
America East Championship
At Boston University
No. 2 Boston University (15-7) 0 2 - 2
No. 1 New Hampshire (14-7) 1 0 - 1
First Half:
(UNH) Jessica Russell (Tami Street, Allie Lehmann), 7:44.
Second Half:
(BU) Kate Cusick (unassisted), 15:13
(BU) Christina Strauss (unassisted), 3:18
Shots:
BU 19, UNH 5
Penalty Corners:
BU 5, UNH 4
Penalty Stroke:
(BU) Jane Rogers -- saved
Saves:
BU 3 (Susan Harrington 3), UNH 12 (Amy Agulay 12)
