GAME NOTES: No. 2 Boston University vs. No. 3 UMBC
May 6, 2004 | Women's Lacrosse
WHO: No. 2 Boston University Terriers (8-9, 5-1 AE) vs. No. 3 UMBC Retrievers (5-10, 4-2 AE) WHEN: Thursday, May 6, 2004, at 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Memorial Field, Hanover, N.H.
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TERRIERS SET TO DEFEND AMERICA EAST CROWN Two-time defending America East Champion Boston University enters the 2004 Tournament as the number two seed. The Terriers earned the No. 2 seed by finishing the regular season with a 5-1 league record with their only loss coming at the hands of No. 1 seed New Hampshire. The Terriers play No. 3 seed UMBC at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. The victor plays in the championship game at noon on Saturday against the winner of the other semifinal between No. 1 New Hampshire and No. 4 Albany.
In 2004, the Terriers will be making their sixth consecutive appearance at the America East Tournament. B.U. has reached the finals of the tournament for the past five years, winning the championship in 2000, 2002, and 2003.
For the third time in program history, B.U. enters as the second seed. B.U. was also a No. 2 seed in 1999 and 2002. In 1999, B.U. advanced to the title game before falling to No. 1 Delaware, 15-8, on May 2. In 2002, B.U. upset No. 1 New Hampshire, 11-5, on May 4.
TERRIERS HONORED WITH ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS Ten Terriers were honored at the America East women’s lacrosse banquet at the University of New Hampshire on Wednesday night (May 5). Sophomores Mary Beth Miller, Kaitlyn Cuneo, and Michelle Bussichella received All-Conference First Team honors. Senior Sasha Lang and junior Alyssa Trudel were at-large selections on the First Team. Sophomores Lindsay Lewis and Danica Strutt, along with freshman Nicole Cooper were named to the All-Conference Second Team. In addition, Cooper and classmate Angie Martin were named to the All-Rookie Team.
TERRIERS AT THE AMERICA EAST TOURNAMENT The Terriers have appeared in the America East Tournament in seven of the last eight years, reaching the championship game for the last five years.
B.U. made its tournament debut in 1997, falling 17-6 in the semifinals to Towson. After failing to qualify for the tournament in 1998, the Terriers earned the No. 2 seed in 1999 and defeated No. 3 New Hampshire, 9-2, in the semifinals. The Terriers fell to host-Delaware, 15-8, in the championship game.
The 2000 tournament marked the first time in B.U. history that the Terriers hosted the conference tournament. As the No. 1 seed, the Terriers breezed by No. 4 New Hampshire, 18-7, in the semifinals and defeated No. 3 Hofstra, 18-8, in the finals. With the victory, B.U. received its first-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament.
In 2001, No. 3 B.U. upset No. 2 Delaware, 11-6, in the semifinals before bowing out to No. 1 Hofstra, 7-6, in the finals.
At the 2002 tournament, No. 2 B.U. defeated No. 3 Albany, 19-4, in the semifinals and upset top-seed New Hamsphire, 11-5, in the championship game.
Last season, No. 1 B.U. defeated No. 4 Stony Brook, 15-4, in the semifinals and held off No. 2 New Hampshire, 11-6, in the title game to earn the NCAA Tournament automatic bid. Goalkeeper Anne Sheridan was named the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after totaling eight saves while allowing just six goals in the title game.
AGAINST THE TOURNAMENT FIELD The Terriers and the Retrievers will meet for the third time in series history on Thursday, with B.U. picking up wins in each of the first two meetings. The Terriers won the first-ever meeting, 11-8, in Baltimore on March 22, 2002. This season, B.U. defeated UMBC, 14-6, in Baltimore on April 10. In the meeting this season, Lindsay Lewis led all scorers with six points off two goals and four assists while Kelly Trahon scored a game-high four goals. Goalkeeper Anne Sheridan made 10 saves in the victory.
New Hampshire leads the all-time series against B.U., 10-8, but the Terriers have won eight of the last 10 meetings. UNH edged B.U., 7-6, in the regular-season meeting on April 17. B.U. last defeated UNH, 11-6, in the America East Championship game on May 3, 2003.
B.U. is a perfect 4-0 all-time against Albany. The Terriers won the regular-season meeting, 11-6, in Albany on April 30. B.U. and Albany have met once in the America East Tournament. In 2002, the No. 2 Terriers defeated the No. 3 Great Danes, 19-4, on May 2.
TERRIERS AMONG THE AMERICA EAST LEADERS Seven Terriers enter the America East Tournament ranking among the statistical leaders in America East. Lindsay Lewis – Tied for first in the league in game-winning goals (0.18 pg). Third in the league in goals (2.53 gpg), fourth in points (3.42 ppg), fifth in draw controls (2.41 dcpg). Also tied for ninth in the league in assists (0.88 apg). Anne Sheridan – Second in the league in goals against average (9.30 GAA). Fifth in both saves per game (8.12 spg) and save percentage (.491). Alyssa Trudel – Tied for fifth in the league in game-winning goals (0.14 pg). Also tied for seventh in the league in assists (.93 apg). Sasha Lang – Tied for fifth in the league in game-winning goals (0.14 pg). Kaitlyn Cuneo – Tied for fourth in the league in free position goals (0.47 pg). Angie Martin – Tied for ninth in the league in assists (0.88 apg). Michelle Bussichella – Third in the league in caused turnovers (1.76 ctpg).
YOUNG DEFENSE PLAYING BEYOND ITS YEARS Boston University head coach Liza Shoemaker had her hands full this spring when a number of leaders on the Terrier defense were sidelined with injuries. Senior defenders Liz Eberhart and Christine Graziano suffered career-ending injuries while sophomore Keely Anderson was limited to just seven regular-season games due to a leg injury.
Shoemaker made a number of adjustments that have proven to be extremely sucessful. Led by junior goalkeeper Anne Sheridan, the starting low defense of junior Karlene Lihota, sophomores Danica Strutt and Michelle Bussichella, along with freshman Nicole Cooper have played well beyond their experience. Entering the post-season, the B.U. defense has a 9.19 goals against average and has forced 156 turnovers.
HEAD COACH LIZA SHOEMAKER IN THE POST-SEASON Under the direction of third-year head coach Liza Shoemaker, the Terriers return to the America East Tournament for the sixth consecutive season. Shoemaker is a perfect 4-0 at the America East Tournament, leading the Terriers to back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003.
In 2002, Shoemaker guided the Terriers to the championship with wins over Albany and New Hamsphire. Last season, Shoemaker led B.U. to its second consecutive title with wins over Stony Brook and New Hampshire.
For her efforts in 2003, Shoemaker earned America East Coach of the Year honors and was a nominee for National Coach of the Year.
Before arriving at B.U., Shoemaker spent three seasons at Towson University where the Tigers earned one America East Tournament bid in 1999.
As a player, Shoemaker led Delaware to back-to-back America East titles in 1997 and 1998 as a junior and senior. In both championships, Shoemaker earned Most Outstanding Player honors.
