Women's Soccer Earns At-Large Bid to NCAA Tournament
November 6, 2006 | Women's Soccer
BOSTON – After waiting a full week for the announcement, the news is good - the Boston University women’s soccer team (13-4-3, 6-1-1 AE) has earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Terriers will face cross-town rival Boston College on Friday in Piscataway, N.J. Also included in the bracket is the America East Champion, Hartford, and Big East member and host, Rutgers University.
The at-large bid is a first for BU, and only the third time in conference history that the America East has received an at-large bid. The Terriers have appeared in five of the last seven NCAA Tournaments with the previous four coming from automatic bids after earning the America East title.
The Terriers will be facing a familiar foe in Boston College on Friday. The two teams met in the season opener this year with BU coming away with the 1-0 overtime win. Overall, the Terriers and Eagles have faced each other 10 times over the past 11 seasons, with BC holding the 6-4 edge. The cross-town rivals also have a history in the NCAA Tournament, as they squared off in the second round in 2005.
The Terriers are 13-4-3 on the season and 6-1-1 in conference play. Seniors Lauren Erwin, Stephanie Dreyer, Erica Lee and Paula Moniz have led a young and talented squad, as the 2006 Terriers have combined for 13 team shutouts and 25 goals. Erwin is the team’s leading scorer with five goals and seven assists, while freshman Farrell McClernon leads BU with seven goals. Stephanie Dreyer holds the school record for shutouts in a season (12) and currently sports a 0.39 goals-against-average.
Since its season opening loss to BU, BC has gone on to record an 11-6-2 record and a 5-3-2 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Freshman Gina DiMartino leads the Eagles with 12 goals and four assists for 30 points.
The Terriers and Eagles kick-off at 5:00.
