Terriers Trounce Catamounts

Conference Unbeaten Streak Now at 20

by Tristan Hobbes

Junior midfielder Shauna Kelleher (’11) scored just over a minute into the game and three different players scored in the second half as the Boston University Terriers (8-4-2, 4-0-0) blanked the University of Vermont Catamounts (1-8-3, 1-1-1), 4-0, in an America East Conference game Thursday night at Nickerson Field.

The win is the sixth in a row for the Terriers and their conference unbeaten streak hit 20 games (19-0-1) dating back to 2007. BU is also 6-0-0 at Nickerson Field this year and they are 20-3-2 at home dating back to the 2007 season.

On Thursday, BU put the pressure on right from the opening kickoff. Kelleher ('11) struck quickly as she picked up the ball 35 yards out and carried it all the way into the box before firing a shot past the reach of Vermont goalie Eliza Bradley.
“It was actually kind of weird because I rarely dribble,” said Kelleher after the game about her great individual effort. “This one was a lot better than the other one [referring to her first goal that caromed off the head of a Dartmouth defender]. We knew we had to come out strong, fast and quick. We set the tempo for the game.”

After Kelleher’s early tally the Terriers continued to dominate the half and outshot the Catamounts 10-1. BU came away empty handed on two great chances later in the half. Freshman Megan McGoldrick (’13) ripped a hard shot that Bradley handled and Bradley made a great play to cut down the angle on sophomore Tiya Gallegos (’12) just outside the box.

BU put things away with two goals in a six minute span to start the second half. Just 34 seconds in, sophomore Jessica Luscinski (’12) crossed a pass into the box where senior Farrell McClernon (’10) flicked it on to the waiting foot of McGoldrick ('13). McGoldrick, unmarked, ripped the ball into the back of the net. Six minutes later senior Emily Pallotta (’10) continued to score as she registered her team-leading fourth goal with a nice strike from the top of the 18 yard box.
“Hopefully they will come in buckets. As they say, ‘when it rains it pours’” Pallotta (’10) said back on September 24th after her game-winning goal against Dartmouth. The goals have come in buckets for the senior as she has three goals in her last two games.

Gallegos (’12) capped the Terriers night with her first goal of the year in the 83rd minute. Sophomore Cynthia Warman (’12) played the ball across the goal line and Gallegos one-touched it into the back of the net.

BU’s defense continued to shine as they allowed just two shots all night. Senior goalie Janie Reilly (’10) was called on to make just one save to record the clean sheet.
“I thought we got complacent and passive after the first goal,” said head coach Nancy Feldman of her team’s performance. “I was much happier with the second half. I thought our mobility was better. I thought we were more unpredictable.”

The Terriers will continue their America East conference schedule with two straight road games. On Sunday, BU travels down I-90 to take on the Great Danes of Albany. BU will close out their road schedule next Thursday with a game at Stony Brook.

***NOTES***
Junior defender Corie Halasz (’11) missed her second straight game on Thursday due to a stress fracture in her right foot. Halasz (’11) suffered the injury last Thursday in New Hampshire and missed the Terriers game at Maine. Head coach Nancy Feldman said Halasz will be out 2 weeks and hopes to have her back before the conference tournament. Senior Laura Schwartz (’10) made her second straight start in her absence.