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.
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.
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.
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.
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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