Sept. 13, 2013
Box Score | Highlights | Postgame Comments: M. McGoldrick
BOSTON – Behind a goal from senior Megan McGoldrick, the Boston University women’s soccer team defeated Connecticut, 1-0, on Friday night at Nickerson Field. With the win, the Terriers move to 4-2-1 on the season while Connecticut drops to 4-3-0.
The Huskies headed into tonight’s contest riding a four-game winning streak and had not allowed a goal since giving one up to then-No. 2 Stanford on Aug. 25. McGoldrick ensured that the Huskies’ shutout streak ended, as she scored the only goal of the game in the fourth minute to keep BU unbeaten on its home turf (3-0-1).
Senior Andrea Green kept BU’s home shutout streak alive, as she made five saves on the night. The Terriers’ defense has held all four visiting opponents scoreless so far this season.
McGoldrick’s tally, her first of the year, came early in the game with the help of classmate Emma Clark. After receiving a pass outside of the box on the far sideline, McGoldrick fired a shot from where she was. The ball looked to be going high but curved just under the crossbar into the top right corner of the net to give BU the 1-0 lead in the fourth minute of action.
Connecticut had an opportunity to score in the 12th minute off a corner kick from Riley Houle. The ball was delivered into the box and the Huskies got off a shot but were whistled for being offsides. UConn tested Green four times throughout the first half but was unable to find the back of the net.
Besides McGoldrick’s goal, the Terriers were unable to put another shot on target for the remainder of the opening half. Sophomore Jenna Fisher and junior Ana Cuffia accounted for BU’s only two shots in the final 15 minutes but both were off target.
The Terriers controlled the ball to open the second half and were awarded their first corner kick of the game in the 48th minute but were unable to get a shot off. Just over a minute later, junior Taylor Krebs sent a ball wide of the net before freshman Erica Kosienski blasted a shot that was deflected away by UConn’s Emily Armstrong, who finished the game with a pair of saves.
The Huskies brought the pressure later in the game as they tried to keep their winning streak alive. Following a foul on BU, UConn took a free kick from the near side and sent the ball into the box but the BU defense was there to stop the ball.
Stephanie Ribeiro nearly netted the equalizer in the 75th minute, as UConn got Green up in the box in attempt to make a stop. Ribeiro made it to the ball before Green did and sent a strike towards the net but junior Kai Miller positioned herself to defend the shot and make the save.
The Terriers regained control of the ball in the 83rd minute when senior Kylie Strom tested Armstrong one last time but the Huskies’ keeper made the save. With the Huskies desperate to score in the final minutes, the BU defense held strong and preserved the 1-0 victory.
UConn ended the game with the advantage in shots (10-8) and shots on goal (6-3) while BU had a 2-1 corner kick edge. Both teams drew a pair of offside calls.
With the win, BU evens the all-time series with UConn to 4-4 with its first victory since a 3-0 triumph on Sept. 19, 2010.
BU remains at Nickerson Field this weekend to host Providence on Sunday (Sept. 15) with action slated to begin at 1 p.m.
