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.