Field Hockey Set to Go Against UMass in NCAA's
November 9, 2000 | Field Hockey
BOSTON -- The Boston University field hockey team will meet up with an old nemesis when they take the field against UMass on Saturday, November 11 at 11 a.m. in the opening round of the 2000 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Tournament in Chapel Hill, NC.
NCAA Division I Tournament First Round Boston University (17-6) vs. UMass-Amherst (18-3) At University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Seventh Heaven This weekend marks the seventh time that the Boston University field hockey team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament. The Terriers are 3-7 in tournament play.
First Time Back-to-Back The Terriers are appearing in the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back years for the first time in program history.
Getting There The Terriers defeated Rider University, 6-1 on November 7 at Nickerson Field in an NCAA Play-In game which solidified the team's second-straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
America East Tournament The Terriers, seeded No. 2 in the America East Championships, defeated No. 3 Delaware, and No. 1 New Hampshire, both by 2-1 margins to capture their second consecutive conference title. The Tournament was held at B.U.'s Nickerson Field, since the second-seeded Terriers were the highest seed with a turf field. Freshman Christina Strauss scored the game-winner, breaking a 1-1 tie with 3:18 left in regulation as B.U. defeated the Wildcats in the championship game on November 4.
Peaking in Autumn The Terriers are playing some of their best hockey of late, winning four in a row and eight of their past nine. In that span, the team is outscoring opponents, 28-10. The Terriers only setback during their current streak was a 3-2 overtime loss to 10th-ranked UConn, a fellow NCAA Tournament participant.
Series History vs. UMass The Terriers are 9-10-3 all-time against the Minutewomen, including a tough 2-1 loss in penalty strokes at UMass on October 4. The teams have met four times in the NCAA's, with UMass holding a 3-1 edge.
Series History vs. North Carolina The Terriers are 0-6 all-time versus UNC. The last time the two teams met was September 10, 1994 at B.U., a 4-0 UNC win.
Series History vs. Kent State The Terriers hold a 1-0 advantage all-time. The two teams' sole meeting took place on September 11, 1994 at B.U., a 6-0 Terrier victory.
Boston University vs. the 2000 NCAA Field Sally Starr's squad is 2-5 against the NCAA Tournament field this season. The Terriers defeated New Hampshire, 2-1 in the America East Championship game, and beat Harvard, 4-1. B.U. lost to UNH 2-1 in two overtimes in the regular season, and fell to Princeton 4-2, Old Dominion 7-1, UMass 2-1 in strokes, and UConn, 3-2 in overtime.
NCAA Experience The Terriers return a good portion of the team that made it to the NCAA Tournament in 1999. Senior co-captains Robyn Kenney and Kate Conover, seniors Kate Cusick and Kelly Clothier, juniors Felicia Cappabianca, Susan Harrington, Casey Holman, Kerry Carney, Jane Rogers, and Rachael Stillings all have tournament experience. Kenney earned an assist in the 2-1 overtime loss to UMass last season.
All-Conference Selections Nine players were named to the 2000 America East All-ConferenceTeam. Senior Kate Cusick, and juniors Kerry Carney and Jane Rogers were named to the First Team. Seniors Robyn Kenney and Kate Conover and junior Felicia Cappabianca were named to the Second Team. Freshmen Lindsey Domers and Whitney Peabody each earned All-Rookie Team honors.
All-Tournament Team At the conclusion of B.U.'s 2-1 win over New Hampshire in the America East Championship, four Terriers were named to the All-Tournament team. Seniors Kate Cusick and Robyn Kenney as well as juniors Kerry Carney and Jane Rogers earned All-Tournament Honors. Kenney was named Most Outstanding Player of the championship.
Counting the Minutes Junior goalkeeper Susan Harrington has played every minute of every game this season for the Terriers. Harrington has played all 1683:27 of the Terriers season in 2000, posting a 16-7 record with a 1.50 goals against average and .791 save percentage. She is the second-ranked goalkeeper in the America East Conference.
Nationally Speaking Susan Harrington is currently ranked 15th in the nation in goals against average with a 1.50 mark in 23 games. She is 20th in the country with 136 saves made. As a team, the Terriers rank 15th in winning percentage with a .682 mark in 22 games, excluding the win over Rider on November 7.
Senior Leadership The Terrier senior class has compiled a 56-31 record in their four-year varsity careers, third-best all-time. The 1996 senior class won a school-best 60 games.
Cusick, Rogers Among All-Time Leaders Senior forward Kate Cusick and junior forward Jane Rogers are each among the top scoring Terriers in program history. Cusick is currently tied for seventh place all-time with Danielle DeCoste '00with 27-16-70 in 67 career games. Rogers is 11th all-time with 22-18-62 in 45 career games.
A Tale of Two Halves Boston University has outscored its' opponents 57-37 on the season, but has really come on strong after halftime. The Terriers are outscoring opponents, 34-16 in the second half, as opposed to 22-18 in the opening half. Six of those first half goals by opponents were scored by Old Dominion in a 7-1 win on September 30. True to form, the Terriers played a tough second half and matched the Monarchs with a goal apiece.
The Defense Never Rests With the exception of a 7-1 loss to Old Dominion, the Terriers have allowed three or more goals only three times this season. While posting three shutouts, B.U. has allowed one goal or fewer 16 times in 23 games.
