Women’s Soccer: Terriers Strike Early, Dominate Crusaders, 3-0
By: Matt Doherty
BOSTON — After starting the season winless through six games, the BU Women’s Soccer team could have went in two different directions. They could have crumbled down and continued their losing ways or they could turn things around and still make a positive, memorable season. The Terriers chose the latter.
In their final home game of the season on Wednesday night, Boston University knocked off Holy Cross, 3-0, in Patriot League Play. The Terriers improved their record to 8-5-3, 6-0-1 PL and have now gone 8-1-1 since their 0-4-2 start.
BU also gained a point in the Turnpike Trophy Series, a year-long competition between the two schools athletic programs.
A lot of the Terrier’s second half success is credited to senior Goalkeeper Alyssa Parisi who recorded her fourth consecutive scoreless start and her sixth shutout of the season.
Head Coach Nancy Feldman commented on her Patriot League Goalie of Week after the game.
“We are so fortunate to have her back there. I look at goalkeeping as neutral but when you can get a plus in goal, and that doesn’t happen every year, a plus in goal is someone who is talented and experienced and poised and that’s what we’ve had this year and hopefully that can carry us to a league championship.”
BU struck first in the opening ninety seconds thanks to a cross by Christina Wakefield into the box that freshman Dorrie Varley-Barrett deposited into the back of the net to give the Terriers an early lead.
However, the Terriers nearly gave up the lead when Holy Cross forward Annie Galvin split through the defense in the 37th minute. From there it was Galvin against Parisi. Parisi came out of the net, blocked the angle, and stopped the ball with her body, making a huge save for BU.
“She saved us. It was textbook goalkeeping on that breakaway. It was technically correct but it was her poise and confidence to play herself out, it was fantastic,” Feldman said.
Heading into the half with only a 1-0 lead, and the Terriers needed more offense in the second half.
BU would get an offensive boost from an unlikely source; junior defender Rachel Bloznalis. 15 minutes into the half Bloznalis lined up for a free kick from 25 yards out and sent it into the top left corner for a goal. It was the first goal of her career. The defender also saved a goal by kicking the ball off the goal line in the second half. Blozanlis’ efforts won her Turnpike Trophy MVP honors.
The Terriers added another goal for insurance in the 83rd minute. Christina Wakefield won the ball in the middle of the field, passed it up to Rachel Blauner who crossed it to McKenna Doyle for the goal. Doyle, just a freshman, now leads the team with five goals.
The win kept BU in first place in the Patriot League Standings with only two games remaining. A win on Saturday at Army will clinch the regular season title for Feldman’s squad.
“We have a goal on winning the regular season championship and it’s the only thing on my mind and it’s the only thing on the players’ minds,” said Feldman.