Friday, August 28
Boston, MA
4 PM
Boston University
vs
Merrimack
Photo by: Eliza Nuestro
New Field Hockey Era Opens on Friday vs. Merrimack
August 27, 2026 | Field Hockey
BOSTON – The Boston University field hockey program will kick off a new era on Friday (Aug. 28) when its 49th varsity season opens with a home contest against Merrimack. Game time at New Balance Field is set for 4 p.m.
It marks the first game for new head coach Sarah Shute '08, who succeeded Sally Starr following her retirement after a 45-year career at the helm of the program. The Terriers enter the year as the reigning Patriot League champion.Â
This will also be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Merrimack, which is in its eighth year at the Division I level, also has a new leader as Christina Hathaway was promoted to head coach in May. Â
TERRIER TIDBITS
SCOUTING MERRIMACK
LOOKING AHEAD
It marks the first game for new head coach Sarah Shute '08, who succeeded Sally Starr following her retirement after a 45-year career at the helm of the program. The Terriers enter the year as the reigning Patriot League champion.Â
This will also be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Merrimack, which is in its eighth year at the Division I level, also has a new leader as Christina Hathaway was promoted to head coach in May. Â
TERRIER TIDBITS
- BU returns 16 players, including eight starters, from the 2025 Patriot League title squad and have welcomed a five-member freshman class.
- Graduate student Caroline O'Brien is back after one of the best offensive seasons in program history, leading the team in points (37), goals (15) and assists (7).
- O'Brien and senior Nicole Lauro were named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team and joined senior Olivia Hammer, senior Maggie Driscoll and sophomore Molly Driscoll on the 2026 NFHCA Collegiate Watchlist.
- O'Brien was a 2025 All-Patriot League Second Team selection and went on to earn Patriot League Championship MVP honors after scoring a hat trick in the team's victory over defending champion Lafayette in the title game.
- Senior Sophie Ortyl earned 17 starts in goal last season, collecting eight wins while posting a 2.53 goals-against average and a .641 save percentage.
- Shute spent the past four seasons as head coach at MIT after serving on Starr's staff at BU for 10 years.
- BU was selected to finish third in the Patriot League preseason poll American and Lafayette.
- Graduate student Maddie Hudson and Maggie Driscoll will serve as co-captains for the 2026 season.
- The Warriors were picked seventh in the NEC preseason poll after a 2025 season in which they posted a record of 3-14.
- Senior Jade Shabo and sophomore Delaney Weiler return after tying for the team lead in points last season with seven each.
- Merrimack's primary goalkeeper graduated and sophomore Kayle Whitters is the most experienced returner in the cage will seven appearances in 2025.
- The Warriors have a seven-member freshman class this season.
- The Terriers will hit the road on Sunday (Aug. 30) when they visit Providence.
- Game time is set for noon.
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/ Field HockeySaturday, October 03
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Thursday, September 17
Sunday, September 06
