BOSTON – In a defensive battle that saw both teams combine for 12 shots, the Boston University field hockey fell to Lafayette 1-0 on Friday evening at New Balance Field.
 
BU (5-9, 2-3 PL) allowed only five shots against the Leopards (10-5, 5-1 PL), who have scored multiple goals in 10 of their 15 contests. However, Lafayette's goal at the 36:46 mark made the difference in the Terriers' final home game of the season.
 
Senior Caroline O'Brien paced the Terrier offense with two shots, both of which were on target. Junior Sophie Ortyl collected two saves in goal.
 
Katie Gibb supplied the lone tally in the contest for the Leopards. Raffi Fragomeni made two saves.
 
BU moved to 5-9 on the season and 2-3 in Patriot League play, while Lafayette improved to 5-1 against conference foes and 10-5 overall.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Terriers registered just one corner in the first period and generated an open shooting lane for senior Caroline O'Brien, but Lafayette's Lena Thedrian made a defensive save to halt the effort.
• In the second, the Leopards earned a corner and got a shot off, but Ortyl was up to the task, turning it away with 3:58 remaining in the quarter.
• The Terriers came down the other end and freshman Delfi Coulo dipped through the Lafayette defense to put a shot on net but was denied with 3:05 remaining in the half.
• The teams went into the break even at 0-0.
• BU earned a corner five minutes into the third quarter but was unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
• Just under two minutes later, the Leopards had their own corner and were able to break through, scoring 6:46 into the third with Gibb's stick after O'Brien made a defensive save on the first attempt.
• Both teams each earned one more corner in the third period, but neither side could tally another goal in the frame.
• Lafayette did not have a shot in the final quarter, while senior Martu Coulo's shot was blocked with 6:35 remaining in regulation.

GAME NOTES

• Shots favored the Terriers 7-5, though the Leopards had a 4-3 edge in shots on goal.
• BU's five shots allowed was second only to its defensive performance against Bryant back on Sept. 21, when it allowed only four shots.
• Each team generated three corners in the game, including four from both sides in the third quarter alone.
• BU honored its senior class prior to the game. Natalie Epperson and Celia Nocivelli made their first career starts.

UP NEXT

• The Terriers make the short trek to Northeastern on Sunday (Oct. 26) at noon.