BOSTON – Led by a high-powered first-half attack, the Boston University women's lacrosse team captured its fourth straight win as it wrangled Colgate, 17-12, Wednesday evening at Nickerson Field.

The Terriers closed out the first half with an 8-0 run, taking a 12-3 command at the break. Colgate outscored BU 9-5 over the final 30 minutes, but the deficit proved too much to overcome as BU remained undefeated in Patriot League games.
 
Emily Vervlied proved why she repeated as the Patriot League Midfielder of the Week, leading all players with five points. Kelly Mathews and Cat McAuley each posted hat tricks, with McAuley's coming as the first in her career, while Hannah Kenneally recorded two goals and two assists, and Mathews and Lexi Lewis each picked up three ground balls.
 
How it Happened

• Kaitlin Belval worked her way past the entire Raider defense from the midfield and bounced in the opening goal just over two minutes into play.
• Colgate took advantage of two straight free position chances to swing the one-goal lead in its favor.
• Belval and Kelly Mathews scored within 15 seconds of one another to put BU back in front.
• The Raiders tied it back up until Vervlied kicked off a 3-0 spurt in under a two-minute span as BU pulled ahead, 6-3, with 20 minutes left in the first half.
• Hannah Kenneally kept the pressure on by slicing in her second goal of the day off a rebound in transition, while Barry scored on a woman-up situation to further the run to 5-0.
• Mathews, Vervlied and McAuley capped the half as each added a goal in the final 11 minutes, capping an 8-0 streak as the Terriers rode a 12-3 advantage into the break.
• Colgate rekindled its attack as it opened the second half with a 3-0 run.
• Mathews broke up the scoring flurry with her third goal of the day and Mckenzie Irvine followed 29 seconds later to put the score at 14-6 five minutes into the second frame.
• Lexi Lewis roped back-to-back free position goals before McAuley netted a free position strike of her own, putting the score at 17-8 with 9:11 left.
• Colgate pegged the final four goals, but the outcome was never in question as BU remained perfect in Patriot League games.

Game Notes

• The 17 goals were the most the Terriers have scored in the series since handing Colgate an 18-8 defeat in 2017.
• Vervlied has 13 goals over the past four games and also led all players with three caused turnovers.
• Mackenzie Howe and Tonianne Magnelli went one-two in draw controls for the second straight game, as Howe collected seven to Magnelli's five.
• McAuley posted her first career hat trick.
• BU went a perfect 17-for-17 in the clearing game.
• The Terrier defense caused 11 of Colgate's 15 turnovers.

Up Next

• BU will return to the road on Sunday, March 11 at Loyola for a 1 p.m. contest.