Terriers Set to Host America East Field Hockey Championship
November 2, 2007 | Field Hockey
Nov. 2, 2007
BOSTON - For the fourth straight season, Boston University has earned the right to host the America East Field Hockey Championship, as the tournament will be held at Jack Barry Field this Friday (Nov. 2) and Sunday (Nov. 4).
The top-seeded Terriers - in search of their third straight title - will take on No. 4 New Hampshire in Friday's first semifinal, beginning at noon. Second-seeded Albany and No. 3 Vermont will face off in the second semifinal at 2:30 p.m.
The Terriers (15-5, 5-0 AE), who are currently ranked 13th in the country, completed the fourth perfect conference season in school history en route to their fourth consecutive regular-season title. BU held each of the other three tournament qualifiers to just one shot on goal when they met earlier this season.
BU posted a 4-1 home victory over New Hampshire on Sept. 28 before coming out on top against Albany, 3-1, on Oct. 20. Last Saturday, the Terriers clinched the regular-season title outright with a 2-0 win versus Vermont.
Albany (14-4, 4-1), which is in search of its first conference title, has been in the national rankings in each of the last eight weeks, peaking at No. 15 in the most recent poll. The Great Danes had three all-conference first-team honorees, including senior midfielder Michelle Simpson, junior goalkeeper Ashley Ross and freshman forward Anouk Vandenberg.
Led by senior Danielle Collins - the America East Offensive Player of the Year - Vermont (12-6, 3-2) is also looking to stake claim to its first conference crown. Juniors Kim Striegler and Maegan Luce joined Collins on the All-Conference First Team. The Catamounts suffered a hard-fought 1-0 loss at Albany earlier this season.
Making its first appearance at the America East Championship since 2004, New Hampshire (9-11, 2-3) has enjoyed a six-game improvement in its overall record compared to last season. Junior midfielder Brooke Bercari secured a spot on the All-Conference First Team, while three other Wildcats were second-team honorees.
The two semifinal winners will meet on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. for the league title. The champion will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
