Terriers Battle New Hampshire in Thursday Match-Up
October 15, 2008 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 15, 2008
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BOSTON - In a battle between the America East Conference's top two teams, the Boston University women's soccer team (9-5-1, 4-0-0 AE) will look to keep its momentum going on Thursday when it hosts New Hampshire (5-8-1, 4-1-0 AE) at Nickerson Field at 7 p.m. The Terriers are riding a six-game unbeaten streak and sit atop the America East standings, while the Wildcats are fresh off a come-from-behind victory over Vermont.
New Hampshire is one of the Terriers' longest-standing rivals. Along with Maine, BU has faced UNH 16 times in the program's 14-year history. Over the past six years, the Terriers, who own a 12-3-1 all-time record against the Wildcats, have not lost a game to them, going 7-0-1. BU is 7-1-0 all-time at Nickerson Field against UNH, with the only home loss coming in overtime in 1996. Last season, BU and New Hampshire battled through 110 minutes to a scoreless draw in Durham, N.H., during the regular season. The two squads met up again in the America East championship, which BU went on to win, 2-1, and claim its fifth conference title.
BU is the only team in the America East to remain undefeated in conference action. Since the six-game surge, the Terriers have outscored their opponents by a 13-3 margin, paced by junior Emily Pallotta's three goals. Pallotta now leads the squad with four goals and one assist for nine points this season. In all, 10 Terriers have recorded at least one point this season, and the squad has featured nine different goal scorers. Defensively, BU remains as stingy as ever, leading the conference in shutouts (8). Sophomore Janie Reilly is second in shutouts (6) and third in goals-against average (0.69).
UNH is the winner of two consecutive games following its 3-2 comeback victory over Vermont and a 3-0 win versus UMBC. The Wildcats have won four of their last five games and are right behind the Terriers in the America East standings. New Hampshire features the conference's most prolific offense with 22 goals in 14 games, and senior Sara Hourihan is in a three-way tie for first in the conference with six goals. Nikki Golding and Ally Yost have split time in net this season. Yost owns a 1.49 GAA, while Golding maintains a 1.90 GAA.
Following Thursday's game, BU will host Stony Brook on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. In a pre-game ceremony, the Terriers will honor their six seniors - Meredith Beaton, Mallory Doyle, Jennifer Herman, Shannon Mullen, Marisha Schumacher-Hodge and Elizabeth Speck.
