Women's Soccer Welcomes Bryant on Wednesday
October 20, 2009 | Women's Soccer
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BOSTON - Having already clinched a spot in the America East Women's Soccer Championship, Boston University (10-5-2, 6-1-0 AE) will take a step outside of its conference and take on Bryant University (3-9-1, 1-4-1 NEC) on Wednesday afternoon at 4 pm at Nickerson Field. It will be the first-ever meeting with the Bulldogs, as they are in their second year of a five-year transition period between NCAA Division II and Division I athletics.
With still a number of scenarios still waiting to play itself out in the America East standings, BU has clinched either a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. With a Stony Brook loss or tie on Thursday to Maine, BU will claim the regular season title outright; however, if the Seawolves win on Thursday, the Terriers will need a victory in their regular-season finale to UMBC.
The story of the season has been BU's impressive offensive output and the variety of different scoring threats for the Terriers. In all, the Terriers have scored 25 goals from 11 different players and 13 have recorded at least a point. Seven student-athletes have found the back of the net multiple times, led by senior Emily Pallotta with five. Sophomore Jessica Luscinski leads the squad with 13 points on three goals and seven assists, while her seven helpers are currently ranked fourth all-time in single-season assists.
Also climbing the in the BU annals are seniors Farrell McClernon and Pallotta. McClernon, who has scored four goals this year and added three assists, currently has 46 career points, which is tied for seventh all-time. Pallotta has also jumped up in the ranks, aided by her career-high 12 points this year. Her 41 career total is currently ninth all-time in scoring. In net, senior Janie Reilly has 18 career shutouts, which puts her in fourth all-time with two games remaining on the regular-season schedule.
In 2009, BU is ranked 44th in the nation in goals-against average (0.74) and 32nd in shutout percentage (0.53). Individually, senior Janie Reilly is ranked 23rd in GAA (0.60) and 36th in save percentage (.852), while Luscinski's seven assists are good for 69th in the NCAA Division I ranks.
Bryant, which is still in the transition to Division I, has claimed wins over Sacred Heart, 3-1, St. Peter's, 2-1, and Hartford, 2-1, this year, and most recently earned a 1-1 tie with Northeast Conference foe Fairleigh Dickinson. Offensively, Kaitlyn Hinck has scored the majority of the Bulldog's goals this year, as she has found the back of the net four times, while Morgan Derick and Jennifer Harding have also provided two goals each. In goal, Kelsi Jacob and Katie Mitchell have split time with Jacob earning a 1.17 GAA and .805 save percentage. Mitchell, who has started in nine contests, has earned a 1.87 GAA, .730 save percentage and 2-4-1 record in between the pipes.
Following Wednesday's match-up, the Terriers will close out their regular season with a showdown against UMBC on Sunday (Oct. 25). Kick-off is slated for 1 pm at Nickerson Field.
