Boston University

After starting the season with three losses in its first four games, the 1998 Boston University field hockey team regrouped and achieved its 11th consecutive winning season under head coach Sally Starr. In the process, the Terriers earned a spot in America East playoffs for the ninth consecutive year.

The Terriers opened the 1998 campaign with an impressive 3-1 victory over visiting California on September 4. After consecutive losses to ranked opponents - Princeton (3rd), Boston College (7th), and New Hampshire (20th) - B.U. rebounded to win nine of its next 10 games to climb back in the national picture.

Bolstered by a career-high three-goal effort from Danielle DeCoste (Fall River, MA), the Terriers commenced a four-game winning streak with a 6-1 victory at Vermont on September 20.

After consecutive victories over America East rivals - Hofstra and Drexel - the Terriers defeated Harvard, 3-1, on September 30 behind two goals from Tina McDavitt (Walpole, MA). The victory also marked the 200th for Starr, who was coaching in her 17th season on the Commonwealth Avenue campus.

After a tough loss to top-ranked Old Dominion on October 3 at Nickerson Field, the Terriers proceeded to win their next four games, allowing just two goals in the process.

On October 10, the Terriers shut out eventual Atlantic 10 champion Massachusetts, 3-0, with the help of a career-high two goal effort from Samantha Stuart (Bridgton, ME).

Over the Columbus Day weekend, B.U. would blank both 16th-ranked Maine, 3-0, and visiting Richmond, 4-0. Junior goalkeeper Noreen Flanagan, who would earn America East Player of the Week accolades for the week ending October 12, was impressive in the two wins. In fact, the entire Terrier defensive unit, led by Robyn Kenney (Whitehouse Station, NJ) and Kate Conover (Cheshire, CT), allowed just four shots on goal.

The following weekend, the Terriers continued their fine play, defeating American, 3-2. Kate Cusick's second goal of the game with 2:21 left to go was the game winner. Flanagan's scoreless streak ended at 257:23, nearly five hours of action.

A day later, seventh-ranked Maryland ended the B.U. four-game winning streak with a 5-4 overtime decision. Nevertheless, the Terriers moved up to number-15 in the NFHCA Division I Poll on the next day.

B.U. suffered a mild two-game losing slide before rebounding to win its final three regular-season contests. McDavitt scored two goals and Jessica Alcorta (Demarest, NJ) added a career-high three assists to lead the Terriers to a memorable 4-1 win over third-ranked Connecticut, the eventual BIG EAST Champion, on October 28.

Two days later, McDavitt scored two more goals and Felicia Cappabianca (North Caldwell, NJ) added one as B.U. stopped 11th-ranked Delaware, 3-1. The victory clinched a berth for the Terriers in the America East Tournament for the ninth straight year. In the regular-season finale on November 1, McDavitt tallied two goals for the third straight outing, and Flanagan notched her 18th career shutout in a 4-0 win over Towson.

With a final 6-2 mark in conference play, the 12th-ranked Terriers were seeded third in the America East Tournament, and were slated to meet second-seeded New Hampshire.

Despite outshooting the Wildcats, 28-12, the Terriers were unable to hold a 2-0 lead and fell, 3-2, in the semifinals. The loss to New Hampshire culminated the Terriers' 21st season of varsity competition.

Seven different Terriers scored at least 10 points during the season. McDavitt had a team-high 30 (12 goals, 6 assists), while DeCoste was second with 29 (11 goals, 7 assists). Alcorta had a team-high 18 assists. Flanagan sported a 2.00 goals against average and .698 save percentage. B.U. outshot its opponents, 356-181, an average of 17.8-9.1 per game.

Several Terriers earned postseason accolades for their fine performances on the field in 1998. Alcorta and Kenney both earned America East First Team All-Conference honors, while DeCoste was a Second team honoree.

In addition, Alcorta and senior Candice Lilienfeld (North Dartmouth, MA) were named to the America East All-Tournament team.

Alcorta and Kenney were also recognized as Northeast Regional First Team All-Americans, while DeCoste was a Second Team pick. Alcorta was further honored as a NFHCA Division I Third Team All-American, becoming the 19th B.U. player to earn such national recognition.