Boston University
Albany
No. 14 Field Hockey Tops No. 16 Albany, 3-1
October 20, 2007 | Field Hockey
Oct. 20, 2007
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The 14th-ranked Boston University field hockey team secured at least a share of its fourth straight America East regular-season title with a 3-1 victory over No. 16 Albany on Saturday afternoon at Jack Barry Field. Senior Hadley Adams scored in the early stages and the Terriers never looked back, improving to 13-5 overall and 4-0 in league play.
Albany, who was tied with BU at the top of the league standings entering the game, moves to 12-4 overall with a 3-1 conference mark.
"This was a great team victory, both offensively and defensively," said head coach Sally Starr. "We played excellent, disciplined hockey together."
A trio of seniors teamed up to help the Terriers open the scoring in the seventh minute. From the right side, senior Pam Spuehler sent the ball towards the cage, where senior Hayley Hamada got a piece of it by the right post. Adams was there to knock the redirected ball past Albany goalkeeper Ashley Ross.
After taking a 1-0 lead into halftime, BU scored two goals within 61 seconds of each other to secure a three-goal cushion.
Sophomore Suus Dekker converted a penalty stroke at 42:08 after senior Hayley Hamada was tripped on a breakaway. Moments later, senior Sarah Shute blasted home a shot from the middle of the circle to tally her 15th goal of the season. Fellow senior Pam Spuehler assisted on the play, as she penetrated the circle and read the defense before dishing off to Shute.
BU did not allow Albany to record a shot on goal until the final minute of play, when freshman Alysia Hough scored with 15 seconds left in regulation to prevent the shutout.
Freshman Kim Kastuk earned the win in goal, while Ross made three saves on the other end.
The Terriers outshot the Great Danes, 10-8, and each team earned four penalty corners on the afternoon.
"This was a good, necessary win for us against a formidable opponent," added Starr. "We contained Albany's outstanding attack and our corner defense showed a lot of improvement."
BU will return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 24, when it makes the short trip to Harvard to wrap up its non-conference schedule. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
