Boston University
(9-6)
UConn
(14-3)
No. 24 Field Hockey Edged by No. 5 UConn, 2-1
October 21, 2018 | Field Hockey
BOSTON – Despite holding advantages in shots and corners, the No. 24 Boston University field hockey team came up just short in a 2-1 contest against defending national champion and fifth-ranked UConn on Sunday afternoon at New Balance Field.
Senior Ally Hammel gave the Terriers a 1-0 lead on a penalty stroke in the 24th minute but the Huskies tied it up four minutes later before scoring the go-ahead goal in the 60th minute.
BU moves to 9-6 on the year while UConn improves to 14-3.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- BU looked sharp in the early stages and created a couple of scoring chances that resulted in shots that barely went wide of the UConn cage.
- Looking to create space off a rush in the 24th minute, freshman Casey Thompson was tripped up by UConn netminder Cheyenne Sprecher, drawing a penalty stroke.
- Hammel converted the try, placing the ball in the lower right corner.
- The Huskies got an equalizer soon after, winning a midfield battle that resulted in a pass from Amelia Iacobucci to Svea Boker, who found the boards on a reverse-stick drive from the middle of the circle at 27:32.
- Cecile Pieper provided the game-winner for the visitors in the second half, finding open space in the right side of the circle before drilling a shot to the net at the 59:33 mark.
- The Terriers were relentless in the final stages of the game and drew three corners in the last minute of regulation.
- Sprecher was up to the task, however, making stops each time to allow the Huskies to escape with the win.
GAME NOTES
- BU held an 8-7 advantage in shots and earned six corners while allowing four.
- The only team to hold UConn to fewer shots this season was Syracuse (6).
- Senior goalkeeper Kathleen Keegan recorded four saves in the contest while Sprecher made three stops for the Huskies.
- Hammel now has 15 points this season, matching her career best from her freshman year, when she was a striker.
- All six of BU's losses this season have come against ranked teams.
UP NEXT
- BU will close out a three-game homestand on Friday (Oct. 26) when it hosts Holy Cross at 6 p.m.
- It will be the final home game of the regular season and the Terriers will honor their senior class prior to the contest.
Team Stats
Hammel, Ally (5)
BU Hammel, Ally PENALTY STROKE GOAL, goal number 5 for season.
23:21
BOKER, Svea (12)
Assisted By: IACOBUCCI, Amelia
GOAL by UCONN BOKER, Svea, Assist by IACOBUCCI, Amelia, goal number 12 for season.
27:32
PIEPER, Cecile (17)
GOAL by UCONN PIEPER, Cecile, goal number 17 for season.
59:33
