BOSTON - A near-goal from 35 yards out by senior Jenna Oldham struck the post, but classmate Ashley Raphael sent home the rebound with 4:48 left in regulation to lift the Boston University women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over visiting Yale on Tuesday evening at Nickerson Field. 

The Terriers picked up their third straight win and fifth in the past six games to improve to 7-5-1 on the year thanks to Raphael's first goal of the season. BU weathered a Yale storm throughout the second half, but junior goalkeeper Gretchen Bennett was sensational in her 45 minutes of work. Two of her three saves were outstanding efforts to keep the ball out, with her third and final stop coming in the 89th minute to ensure the victory. The Bulldogs had a corner kick in the final seconds, but BU cleared the danger.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Five of the Terriers' seven shot attempts in the first half were on target, but Maya Bellomo (eight saves) was able to keep the game scoreless heading into the break.
• The BU defense was well-organized in the opening 45 minutes, as the Terriers conceded just one shot attempt.
• Bennett passed her first test 12 minutes into the second half when she knocked a Yale shot from distance off the crossbar. BU defended a second attacker from getting to the ball, which allowed Bennett to gather it.
• The junior goalkeeper made her second stop in the 70th minute off a Yale free kick from about 25 yards out. The chance was destined for the top left corner, but Bennett got her right hand to it to deflect it out of play.
• BU had a flurry of chances in the final 10 minutes, with Raphael nearly securing the winner with 6:45 remaining in regulation. She got a great shot off, but Bellomo pushed it over the bar.
• Oldham created the chance that led to the goal with some great dribbling through the Bulldog defense before sending a right-footed strike towards the cage. It was headed for the top right corner, but hit the post and ricocheted right to Raphael. The senior forward took it first time and placed it into the back of the net.
• Yale battled for an equalizer until the final whistle, but the Terriers three corners over the final four minutes to preserve the win.

GAME NOTES

• Oldham now leads the team with 14 points thanks to her team-best sixth assists.
• Raphael became the eighth different Terrier to score this season.
• Bennett improved to 4-1-0 on the season and has allowed just one goal in her last six appearances.
• This was the third straight game in which BU scored first.
• The Terriers attempted 17 shots to just six attempts for Yale.
• Both teams earned seven corner kicks, with the Terriers defending six Yale corners in the second half.
• Freshman goalkeeper Celia Braun started the game for BU.

UP NEXT

• BU will return to Patriot League play on Saturday when the Terriers continue their three-game homestand against American at Nickerson Field.
• First kick is scheduled for 1 p.m.