AMHERST, Mass. - With help from sophomore
Morgan Fagan's goal in the 13th minute, the Boston University women's soccer team defeated in-state rival Massachusetts 1-0 on Thursday afternoon at Rudd Field.
BU snaps its three-game losing streak and improves to 3-4 on the year. UMass had its three-game unbeaten streak end and falls to 1-3-3 in 2022.
Fagan attempted the first two shots of the game for the Terriers, but was unsuccessful in both attempts. However, after the last chance was initially saved, she buried it home for her second goal of the season to tally the match's lone score. The Minutewomen posted seven shots in the second half to vie for the equalizer, but the Terrier defense held firm for its first shutout on the campaign.
Senior goalkeeper
Gretchen Bennett made one save in 90 minutes of action. Fagan and redshirt senior
Amy Thompson each recorded two shots on goal to pace BU.
UMass netminder Megan Olszewski notched a game-high three saves, all coming in the first 45 minutes. Ashley Lamond and Lauren Bonavita each led the Minutewomen with two shots apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After UMass' first two shots were off the mark, Fagan's first shot came in the 11th minute, an attempt near the right post that floated wide left.
- To ignite the goal-scoring play, junior Abigail McNulty raced down the left side and crossed it to Fagan by the right post. Her initial shot was denied close by Olszewski, but Fagan drilled the rebound into the net.
- Ten minutes later, Thompson almost made it 2-0 Terriers when she whipped a shot from the top left of the penalty box, but Olszewski came up with the save.
- UMass generated a dangerous chance in the 33rd minute with a cross from the left corner, but Bennett intercepted the pass along the left post before a Minutewoman could get a boot on the ball.
- The Minutewomen earned a corner kick in the 52nd minute that Layal KHartabil headed towards the net, but Bennett leaped to send the ball over the crossbar. UMass' ensuing corner kick created a shot that sailed over the bar.
- Redshirt senior Jenna Oldham gained space atop the box in the 61st minute to zip a shot a couple feet over the woodwork.
- Four minutes later, UMass garnered an opportunity when a scramble inside BU's box led to a chance for Lauren Smida, but she sent the shot wide right.
- In the 80th minute, BU snuffed out a UMass corner, but the Minutewomen regained possession for Bonavita, whose shot hit the left post.
- With under six minutes to play, senior Marli Rajacich inserted a corner that Oldham headed just wide of the right woodwork.
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GAME NOTES
- BU outshot UMass 12-9, including a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal.
- The Terriers recorded six corners, their sixth game this season with four or more.
- Fagan moves into a tie with McNulty and freshman Giulianna Gianino for the team lead with two goals this season.
- Four of Fagan's five career tallies have come in the first half.
- Bennett's effort was her second-career individual shutout. Her first, and the last for BU as a team, was the 2021 Patriot League semifinal win over Army on Nov. 4, 2021.
- The Terriers improve to 6-4 all-time against UMass, snapping a three-match slide.
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UP NEXT
- The Terriers continue their road stretch when they head to UNH on Sunday (Sept. 11). Opening kick is set for 2 p.m.