The No. 19 Boston University field hockey team will kick off its 2018 season on Friday (Aug. 24) when it takes on crosstown rival Northeastern in the opening game of the Wildcat Classic at UNH. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
 
The host Wildcats and Massachusetts will face off in the other semifinal at 6 p.m. with the winners meeting for the title on Sunday (Aug. 26) at 2 p.m. The tournament's consolation game will take place on Sunday at 11 a.m.
 
This is the fourth year of this season-opening tournament, which has alternated hosts between BU and UNH each season. The Terriers are the two-time defending champions and posted a 1-0 win over UNH in last year's Terrier Classic title game at New Balance Field. 
 
Friday's game officially opens the 41st season of varsity field hockey at BU. Northeastern and Boston College are the only teams the Terriers have played every year of their existence. The Huskies hold a 28-22 advantage in 50 all-time meetings but BU has come out on top in each of the past three, including a 6-1 road triumph last season.
 
The Terriers are the preseason favorites in the Patriot League after winning the conference title last season for the third time in four seasons.
 
Senior co-captain Ally Hammel is the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year following an incredible junior season that saw her earn NFHCA Northeast Region Player of the Year honors and become the first back in program history to garner first-team All-America accolades.
 
Hammel was joined on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team by fellow co-captain Allie Doggett, junior midfielder Kiley Gallagher and sophomore forward Ailsa Connolly. Doggett, a midfielder, was a unanimous All-PL First Team pick along with Hammel. Connolly led last year's squad in points (22) and goals (11) while Gallagher added 18 points (6g, 6a).
 
In goal, the Terriers have a unique situation with three netminders who all played in at least 18 games this season. Senior Kathleen Keegan and sophomore Millie Baker are back after splitting time in the BU cage last season and combining for a 1.59 goals-against average. Junior Livy Golini has joined the squad as a transfer after serving as the primary goalkeeper at Quinnipiac the past two years.
 
Friday's tilt also marks the start of a new era for Northeastern with first-year head coach Shelly Morris. BU All-American Pam Spuehler '08 has returned to the coaching ranks as the new associate head coach of the Huskies.
 
Northeastern's top three returning scorers all earned spots on the Preseason All-CAA Team. Senior June Curry-Lindahl (8g, 8a) and sophomore Camille O'Conor  (8g, 4a) put up 24 and 20 points, respectively, in 2017 while senior Laura MacLachlan added 17 (6g, 5a).
 
The Huskies return both of their goalkeepers from last season in sophomore Julia Gluyas (3.03 GAA, .574 sv%) and redshirt junior Julia Ennis (2.08, .707).