BOSTON - Sophomore Thalia Steenssens scored the game-winning goal and added an assist to lead the Boston University field hockey team to a 2-1 win over Monmouth in its season opener on Friday afternoon at New Balance Field.

The decisive goal, which came early in the third quarter, was Steenssens' first collegiate tally, helping the Terriers win their season opener for the seventh straight year.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Graduate student Miya Denison opened the scoring in the 10th minute when she took a pass from Steenssens in transition and dribbled through the right side before firing a shot from the top of the circle that bounced past the Monmouth goalkeeper.
• The visitors quickly responded on a corner blast by Lorane Vanneste just 65 seconds after Denison's tally.
• The Hawks had an 8-3 shot advantage after the opening half and the teams entered the break in a 1-1 deadlock.
• The game-winner came off a corner in the early stages of the second half as Steenssens redirected an offering from freshman Payton Anderson to the boards at the 31:26 mark.
• In search of another equalizer, Monmouth went on to earn four more corners but the Terrier defense was up to the task.
• The final corner came in the 56th minute and sophomore goalkeeper Kate Thomason came up with a save to secure the victory. 

GAME NOTES

• Junior Caroline Kelly played the first half in goal and made four saves before Thomason took over at the half and added a pair of stops.
• Junior Rachel Borzymowski came up with a critical defensive save off a corner just moments after the Terriers took a 2-1 lead.
• The Terriers have now won their past seven season openers in a streak that started in 2015.
• Anderson's assist on the winner was her first collegiate point.
• Monmouth held a 13-9 shot advantage and earned nine corners to BU's four.

UP NEXT

• The Terriers will return to action on Sunday (Aug. 27) when they visit Providence
• Game time is set for 2 p.m.