HAMILTON, N.Y. – Opening the Patriot League Tournament with a quarterfinal matchup at Colgate, the Boston University women's lacrosse team used a strong second half to knock off Colgate, 14-9, Tuesday afternoon at Beyer-Small '76 Field.
 
With the game tied up at 7-7 at the half, BU's freshmen scored five of its seven second-half goals to advance the Terriers to the semifinals for the fifth straight season, where it will matchup against No. 1 Loyola at the Ridley Athletic Complex on Friday, May 4 at 4 p.m.
 
How It Happened

• Avery Donahoe marked her return after missing the prior six games due to injury, scooping up a loose ball in front of the keeper to slot the opening goal just over two minutes in.
• Lexi Lewis sparked the attack by finding Ava Barry, who put the Terriers back on top, and followed by taking it solo the cage 13 seconds later to further the lead to 3-1.
• Kelly Mathews kept the pressure on as she intercepted a clear attempt and found Kailey Conry for the finish, while Emily Vervlied provided another quick strike 22 seconds later to put the scoreboard in favor of the Terriers at 5-2 just over 10 minutes into play.
• Colgate swung the momentum to its side as it knotted the contest at 5-5 with 4:51 left before the break.
• Lewis slipped in her second score to put the Terriers back in front, though the Raiders tied it up again 17 seconds later before taking its first lead with 2:57 left on the clock.
• Vervlied cashed in her second goal of the half in the closing seconds to put the score at 7-all heading into the locker room.
• Ryann Gaffney opened the second half by slipping one past the goal line to put the Terriers ahead on a woman-down situation.
• Gaffney stayed hot as she found Barry for a one-timer before Lewis converted on a free position shot to put BU ahead by three, 10-7, with 19:20 to go.
• BU's freshmen duo of Barry and Gaffney continued to assault Colgate's defense, providing the next three scores to make it a 13-7 game with 8:39 left.
• Kaitlin Belval notched the final score for the Terriers with just over five minutes to go.

Game Notes

• BU improved to 6-4 all-time in the Patriot League Tournament and 5-0 in quarterfinal matchups.
• BU's freshmen combined for 11 points, including seven in the second half, led by a five-point effort by Barry.
• Christine Laible was a force in net, making 12 saves and has made double-digit saves in each of the last six contests.
• Mackenzie Howe and Belval dominated on the draw, as Howe came away with eight decisions and Belval picked up six.
• The Terriers also controlled the ground in the second half, scooping up 23 lose balls compared to Colgate's eight.

Up Next

• The Terriers will contend in a semifinal tilt with top-ranked Loyola on Friday, May 4 at 4 p.m.