Home Is Where The Heart Is For Women's Soccer
By: Marc Filippino
After the Boston University Terriers dropped a heartbreaker to the Stony Brook Seawolves, BU lost one of its most prestigious streaks: 21 straight in-conference victories. To fix this BU, came back to its cure-all solution: Nickerson Field.
To say the Terriers are good at home is an understatement: they have been downright dominant. In the past two years, BU has gone 16-1 at Nickerson. Its only defeat was a 1-0 loss to Boston College to start the 2008 season.
On Sunday, BU won against Hartford in the nastiest of conditions. Hail, rain, and snow were bestowed upon the Terriers and they took it with a grain of salt to beat the Hawks, 1-0. The Terriers faced similar conditions on Long Island against Stonybrook last Thursday, but instead came away from the victory with a loss.
Now, keep in mind that Stonybrook and Hartford are two very different teams. Hartford is defeated in the conference (0-5-1); while Stonybrook (5-1-1) just received its first in-conference loss today. However, the Terriers are capable of beating both teams. The variable seems to be Nickerson Field.
Looking quickly at the stats, the Terriers are 3-4-2 on the road this year, while they are 7-0 at home. In those seven games, BU has 16 of its 25 goals on the season. It has also only allowed one goal at the Nick, which came against Dartmouth on September 24th.
Maybe it’s the turf.
BU Coach Nancy Feldman has said numerous times that the Terriers fast game play is because of the speed that the ball moves on Nickerson Field. This is why the Terriers had trouble adjusting during the first half in Albany with a field that with thick tall grass.
Another explanation could be the shadows cast by the West Campus dorms. It may seem trivial, but the subtle light difference because of the looming Claflin, Sleeper and Rich dorms could throw off an opponent who is isn’t used to the surroundings.
Home field advantage is important in any sport; that’s why it’s called an “advantage.” This is why the Terriers needed the Seawolves to lose today. With their loss to Albany and the Terriers win today against Hartford, BU regains home field advantage in the America East playoffs. It’s the upper hand that the Terriers could use.
After the Boston University Terriers dropped a heartbreaker to the Stony Brook Seawolves, BU lost one of its most prestigious streaks: 21 straight in-conference victories. To fix this BU, came back to its cure-all solution: Nickerson Field.
To say the Terriers are good at home is an understatement: they have been downright dominant. In the past two years, BU has gone 16-1 at Nickerson. Its only defeat was a 1-0 loss to Boston College to start the 2008 season.
On Sunday, BU won against Hartford in the nastiest of conditions. Hail, rain, and snow were bestowed upon the Terriers and they took it with a grain of salt to beat the Hawks, 1-0. The Terriers faced similar conditions on Long Island against Stonybrook last Thursday, but instead came away from the victory with a loss.
Now, keep in mind that Stonybrook and Hartford are two very different teams. Hartford is defeated in the conference (0-5-1); while Stonybrook (5-1-1) just received its first in-conference loss today. However, the Terriers are capable of beating both teams. The variable seems to be Nickerson Field.
Looking quickly at the stats, the Terriers are 3-4-2 on the road this year, while they are 7-0 at home. In those seven games, BU has 16 of its 25 goals on the season. It has also only allowed one goal at the Nick, which came against Dartmouth on September 24th.
Maybe it’s the turf.
BU Coach Nancy Feldman has said numerous times that the Terriers fast game play is because of the speed that the ball moves on Nickerson Field. This is why the Terriers had trouble adjusting during the first half in Albany with a field that with thick tall grass.
Another explanation could be the shadows cast by the West Campus dorms. It may seem trivial, but the subtle light difference because of the looming Claflin, Sleeper and Rich dorms could throw off an opponent who is isn’t used to the surroundings.
Home field advantage is important in any sport; that’s why it’s called an “advantage.” This is why the Terriers needed the Seawolves to lose today. With their loss to Albany and the Terriers win today against Hartford, BU regains home field advantage in the America East playoffs. It’s the upper hand that the Terriers could use.
Labels: America East, Marc Filippino, Women's Soccer
posted by Chris Aliano at
6:35 PM
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