Women’s Soccer: BU Falls to Penn State in Playoffs
By: Matt Doherty
The Boston University Women’s Soccer team saw their 2015 season come to an end on Friday night in State College, Pennsylvania when the Terriers lost to top-seeded Penn State 6-0 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Nittany Lions were certainly the toughest opponent BU has faced all season but the Terriers played them tough in the first half. The match nearly went into intermission scoreless until Nittany Lion forward Frannie Crouse blew by the defense and scored to make it 1-0.
Then again with just under two minutes to go in the first half, Penn State added another goal, killing momentum for BU.
Penn State continued to attack in the second half firing shots on the offensive end. The terrific Terrier backline couldn’t fend off the lethal offense and Penn State added three goals in the opening twenty minutes to put the match away.
It was the final game for a decorated group of Boston University seniors who made three NCAA Tournament appearances and won three Patriot League Championships. The defensive unit of PL Defender of the Year McKenzie Hollenbaugh, Rachel Blauner, and Lauren MacLellan all played their last game in a Terrier uniform.
Also ending their wonderful careers on Friday night were PL Goalkeeper of the Year Alyssa Parisi, and arguably the team’s two most important players in Jenna Fisher and Clare Pleuler. Defender Ariana Aston, who missed her final year due to injury, ends her career in Scarlet and White as well.
BU has nothing to hang their heads about however. After starting the season 0-4-2, the Terriers turned the corner and went on a remarkable run the rest of the season losing just once until Friday’s defeat since September 4th. The Terriers won the Patriot League Regular Season and Postseason Titles while advancing to the second round of the tournament for just the fifth time in program history.
Penn State advances to the final 16 and will play Big Ten rival Ohio State on Sunday with the regional title on the line.