BOSTON - The Boston University women's lacrosse team opened its 2024 home schedule with an 18-14 victory over New Hampshire on Wednesday at Nickerson Field.

BU improved to 2-0 thanks to another impressive performance on offense, as the Terriers have now averaged 17.5 goals per game to start the year. Six different Terriers found the back of the net, led by a second straight five-goal performance from sophomore Elle Stevenson. 

Sophomore Leah Hodgins tallied the first four goals of her collegiate career while freshman Reilly Walsh scored her first three collegiate goals and added an assist to complete a four-point performance. Junior Hannah Tiller also notched a hat trick to match her career high. Junior Abby Cotraro scored two goals, freshman Tessa Geddes secured one goal and one assist for her first multi-point game as a Terrier and junior Avery Jones collected her first two collegiate assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• UNH opened the scoring just 1:17 into the proceedings, but Stevenson answered just 35 seconds later to tie the score at 1-1.
• Stevenson again equalized with 6:08 left in the opening quarter before Hodgins gave BU its first lead of the gamr with 4:05 left in the frame.
• Katie Taranto's player-up goal with 1:12 on the clock created a 3-3 stalemate through 15 minutes.
• Walsh regained the lead just 47 seconds into the second quarter with a player-up strike.
• UNH once again evened the score at 11:50, but Cotraro's first goal of the day just 28 seconds later made it 5-4.
• That sparked a four-goal BU run, as Hodgins, Stevenson and Geddes all found the back of the net to give the Terriers an 8-4 lead.
• Another UNH goal cut the Terriers' lead to 8-5 at the break, but BU scored four straight goals to begin the third quarter and establish a 12-5 lead.
• UNH finished the quarter on a 2-0 run to enter the final period trailing by five, but BU notched five consecutive goals to begin the fourth quarter.
• Trailing by 10 with 7:46 remaining in regulation, UNH scored five straight goals of its own to make it a 17-12 contest with 2:38 to play.
• Walsh converted a free-position chance with 1:21 on the clock to cap the scoring for BU.
• UNH never quit and added two more goals in the final 1:01 of the contest. 

GAME NOTES

• BU outpaced UNH on the draw, 20 to 12.
• The Terriers were 11-for-13 on the clear compared to the Wildcats' 10-for-16.
• BU was 4-for-4 on free position shots while UNH was 6-for-9.
• UNH scooped up 17 ground balls to BU's 14.
• In her first career start, freshman Natalie Aiosa had four saves. 
• Senior Ellen Monahan (8) and Geddes (7) accounted for more than half of BU's draw controls combined.

UP NEXT

• BU will continue its homestead with a contest against Iona on Saturday.
• Opening draw is set for 1:30 p.m.