Women’s Soccer: Terriers Try for Two Straight Wins
GAME INFORMATION:
Colgate University Raiders vs. Boston University Terriers
Wednesday, September 28th, 7 PM, Nickerson Field, Boston, MA.
PREVIEW:
Boston University (1-10, 1-1 PL) finally picked up its first win of the season last Saturday when it defeated American University, 1-0. The Terriers used a penalty goal kick from senior captain Rachel Bloznalis in the 25th minute as the difference.
The goal marked just the third this year from the struggling BU offense. Coach Nancy Feldman’s squad completely dominated the time of possession though while outshooting American 19-1.
Feldman told BU athletics after the game, “Playing a 90-minute soccer game, and you don’t give them much of anything beyond three sniffs [on offense], that’s pretty good…It was our defending that set the tone for the game. There was an aggressiveness to play at a high tempo while playing in control.”
The Terriers will look to ride the momentum when they welcome Colgate University to Nickerson Field on Wednesday evening. The Red Raiders (4-3-3, 2-0 PL) are coming off a dramatic 3-2 overtime win over previously unbeaten Lehigh. Colgate owns wins this season against LSU, Farleigh Dickinson, American, and Lehigh. They come into this match-up middle of the pack in the Patriot League in terms of goals per game (1.4) and goals allowed per game (1.5).
However, the Raiders have a rising superstar in freshman Abby Sotomayor who has scored 7 goals on the season. The Colchester, Connecticut resident scored 2 goals including the game winner in the win over Lehigh, putting her second in the league in the goals category. The BU defensive line will have their hands full with the talented rookie.
HISTORY:
Boston University is 5-0-1 all-time against Colgate including a 2-0 victory in Hamilton last September.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
Keep attacking despite negative results: The Terriers finally scored a goal and ultimately finally earned a victory but the offense continues to be stagnant in terms of results. Despite taking 19 shots, the Terriers weren’t able to score from open play against American (only goal came from penalty kick). BU has now out-shot their last three opponents which shows they are creating opportunities, however the Terriers are lacking the finishing touch.
Contain Sotomayor: Colgate has scored 15 goals on the season and Abby Sotomayor has scored 7 of those. The freshman is clearly the focal point of the Raider offense which means the Terriers have to keep all eyes on her at all times. The BU defense is coming off a dominant performance their last time out so continuing that play is key for Wednesday.
PREDICTION:
The Terriers hold the longest home conference unbeaten streak in the country at 35 games. Simply put, BU does not lose conference home games. I think BU carries their momentum from Saturday’s win and puts another one in the win column against a talented team. The Terriers finally break their bad luck and pick up a 2-1 victory over Colgate.