No. 19 Field Hockey Doubles Up Vermont, 4-2
October 15, 2005 | Field Hockey
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Boosted by two goals in the first six minutes of play and two late insurance tallies, the 19th-ranked Boston University field hockey team ran its win streak to seven games with a 4-2 home victory over Vermont on Saturday afternoon at Jack Barry Field. The Terriers' defense had their opponents' scoreless streak snapped at 418:23, but improved to 10-3 overall and 3-0 in America East play.
Sophomores Sarah Hudak and Hayley Hamada each scored their second goals of the season, while sophomore Sarah Shute and freshman Holly Wiles each recorded their team-best seventh goals of the year.
"I'm really pleased with our play today," said head coach Sally Starr. "Our passing game was exceptional and we played a good team game of hockey."
The Terriers wasted little time to get their first goal, earning their first penalty corner of the game in the second minute and converting on it with a tally by Hudak just 1:36 after the opening whistle. The play set up a shot at the top of the circle for junior Ashley Parker, who fired away at the goal before Hudak got her stick on the ball and found the boards.
BU made it a 2-0 contest exactly three minutes later when it took advantage of an unsettled situation outside of its attacking zone. Junior Amy Seaman collected a ball just inside the circle and sent it towards the left side, where Shute was there to direct the ball to the top of the cage to make it a two-goal affair.
Vermont ended the BU defense's length scoreless skein with a perfectly executed corner in the 14th minute. Sophomore Katie Flynn scored on assists from classmates Kate Lipton and Betsy Welsh.
The Terriers took a 2-1 lead into the half and came out aggressive after intermission. BU's press allowed just one Vermont shot in the second half.
"We were a big sluggish on our restarts in the first half," said Starr. "Vermont had us on our heels, but we pressed much better in the second half and kept the ball in our attacking zone."
A key goal by Wiles at the 55:47 mark proved to be eventual game winner. The freshman collected a rebound in the middle of the circle and raised the ball over Vermont goalkeeper Ariel Eber, who was sprawled on the ground after making an initial save.
"It was an exceptional goal," said Starr. "It showed a lot of poise and athleticism on Holly's part. She did a great job reading the goalie."
Vermont's only shot of the second half ended up producing a goal, as a fast-break opportunity resulted in a tally by freshman Kari Furlani with 11:34 left in regulation, making it a 3-2 contest.
Hamada tacked on an insurance goal for the Terriers under two minutes later on an odd-man rush when she snuck a ball past Eber.
BU outshot Vermont 18-5 and held a 10-2 advantage in penalty corners. Eber made five saves for the Catamounts, while junior Erin Prediger made one save in goal for the Terriers.
The Terriers will look to extend their win streak to eight games when they welcome Princeton to Jack Barry Field on Sunday for a 2 p.m. contest.
