The Terrier Twelve: No. 4 - Field Hockey Saves Best for Last, Claims Fourth League Title in Five Years
July 6, 2010 | Field Hockey
July 6, 2010
An impressive postseason showing that produced its fourth America East title in five years has placed the Boston University field hockey team at No. 4 in this year's Terrier Twelve. Despite fielding a young squad, the Terriers overcame a tough regular season before posting two convincing wins at the conference tournament capped by a 4-1 victory over top-seeded Albany in the championship game.
The Terriers dropped five of their first six games, but three losses were by a single goal and two were in overtime. As the season went on, BU showed promise against some of the nation's best teams and refused to get frustrated by their sub-.500 record.
In the regular-season finale, the Terriers posted a 1-0 road victory over Maine to secure a share of the America East regular-season crown. One week later in the league semifinals, BU faced the Black Bears again and came away with an impressive 5-2 triumph.
In the championship game against Albany, which had shut out BU by a score of 2-0 just two weeks earlier, freshman Nicole van Oosterom tallied two goals and an assist to lead the Terriers to the 4-1 victory.
Senior co-captain Haley Robinson, who went on to earn team most valuable player honors for the season, was named the Most Outstanding Player of the America East Championship and was joined on the All-Championship Team by classmate and fellow co-captain Nikki Lloyd, junior Allie Dolce and 2009 America East Rookie of the Year Jacinda McLeod, who tallied a penalty-stroke goal in the final. Sophomore Kali Cardoza also scored in the win over the Great Danes.
The triumph in the championship game gave Sally Starr her eighth America East title as head coach of the Terriers, who reclaimed their spot at the top of the conference after winning three straight titles from 2005-07.
BU went on to host an NCAA Play-In Game, in which it dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime decision to Stanford. McLeod scored her ninth goal of the season in the last minute of regulation to send the game into extra time before the Cardinal tallied the winner in 78th minute.
