Terriers Take Opener, 2-0, Over Rhode Island

Courtesy: Goterriers.com/ Sophomore Jessica Luscinski in action

By: Tristan Hobbes

The Boston University women’s soccer team (1-0-0) started their 2009 season off on the right foot Thursday night with an impressive 2-0 shutout over the University of Rhode Island Rams (0-1-0) at Nickerson Field.

Locked in a 0-0 deadlock at halftime, the Terriers came out strong in the second half and finally broke through in the 58th minute. Freshman Megan McGoldrick ('13) picked up a loose ball outside the 18 yard box and sent a beautiful cross into sophomore Jessica Luscinski ('12). Luscinski settled the cross and placed a beautiful strike inside the far post to give BU a 1-0 lead. The assist was the first career assist and point for McGoldrick.

Luscinski’s goal was a culmination of dominating play by the Terriers all night outside the first fifteen minutes of the game.

“We were frantic in the first fifteen minutes,” said BU coach Nancy Feldman. “No one had possession and our game is to open it up more. In the first half, we found it but weren’t able to finish it off.”

It was the second half barrage that did the trick for BU. In the second half, the Terriers outshot the Rams 11-1 and scored both goals. The Terriers also earned five corner kicks in the second half after having just one in the first half. “In the second half…scoring is how you win games,” noted Feldman.

Sophomore reserve Cythnia Warman ('12) made it 2-0 in the 88th minute with a great individual effort. Warman took a pass from senior forward Farrell McClernon ('10) and worked her way to the end line before meandering around one defender, and ripping a shot inside the near post.

Defensively, the Terriers were dominant and allowed just three shots all night as senior Janie Reilly ('09) and sophomore Annie Tooley ('12) combined for the clean sheet. 703 7319122

“I think it is a confidence builder for them,” Feldman said. “I don’t think [the defense] had any bad moments.”

Rhode Island’s best opportunity came in the 15th minute. Sophomore forward Alexis Veith ('12) got control of a loose ball inside the 18 and curved a shot out of the reach of Reilly and just outside of the far post. Junior Rams keeper Jackie Fede ('11) was busy all night as she was called on to make several key stops. After losing control of a shot in the first half, Fede was able to dive back in front of the cross by senior midfielder Emily Pallotta ('10) and denied a sure goal. Fede came up with her best save of the night in the second half when she came off her line and deflected McClernon’s shot over the crossbar.

BU nearly took the lead in the waning seconds of the first half but sophomore midfielder Krista Minto’s ('12) shot with one second on the clock sailed just over the crossbar. In the 75th minute, Minto almost made it 2-0 but her shot from 12 yards out went off the crossbar and was cleared away. Thirteen minutes later, Warman netted her first goal of the year.

For Luscinski, tonight was a good start but she made it clear what this year’s team is focused on “We’re taking it one game at a time,” Luscinski said. “Everyone does their job and everyone puts 100 percent in.”

The Terriers return to Nickerson Field on Sunday to take on the University of Massachusetts Minutewomen at 6 pm. The Terrier Tailgate is also taking place on Sunday and gates will open at 4:30pm.