Women’s Soccer: Terriers flex their Patriot League muscles in 2-0 win over Lafayette
By: Ethan Fuller
BOSTON, MA – Boston University women’s soccer was firing on all cylinders Saturday, controlling the pitch en route to a 2-0 trouncing of Lafayette College. The Terriers moved to 3-0-1 in the Patriot League (4-7-2 overall) and are unbeaten over their last four matches. Lafayette (4-7-0) drops to 1-3 in conference play, having lost three straight.
The Terriers were in command from the opening minute. Their aggressive offense created eight shots and eight corners in just the first half of action; one of those corners found net via a header from freshman midfielder Taylor Kofton, breaking the tie in the 28th minute. It was her first goal of the season, and of her Boston University career.
Kofton was not finished yet. Early in the second half she converted another header, off another corner, for her first brace. The Massachusetts native was ecstatic after the game, but she emphasized the appreciation she had for her teammates’ trust.
“Having them supporting me makes me feel so much more confident on the field,” she said.
The Terriers’ aggression on offense and defense stifled the Leopards, who did not get off a single shot attempt in the first half and only managed four in the second. Meanwhile, BU launched a remarkable sixteen tries after halftime, and outshot Lafayette 24-4 overall. They also forced 13 corner kicks to Lafayette’s two.
Sophomore keeper Maggie Pohl performed admirably in net for the Leopards, tallying nine saves. But she could only do so much against the constant attack. For the Terriers, Amanda Fay started and finished in the box, earning her first victory of the year while not needing to save a single ball.
Anna Heilferty continued to impress, assisting Kofton on her second goal while adding four shots of her own—three of which were on target. She also showcased her tremendous footwork numerous times, garnering applause from the crowd as she dropped multiple Lafayette defenders.
Head coach Nancy Feldman, however, believes Heilferty’s greatest improvement this year is something more subtle: off-ball movement.
“Her movement off the ball has grown, which gives her the opportunity to find the ball in better positions,” Feldman said. “If her movement off the ball is good, then she can get more separation before she gets the ball… and then she’s hard to lock down.”
The team’s energy level has transformed as Patriot League play progresses. BU women’s soccer has won 45 home conference matches in a row, a number that is second in the NCAA. They have also shut out their previous three opponents, and have not allowed a goal in the last 359 minutes of play. The Terriers seem to be catching fire at the right time.
“We’ve become more confident in each other,” Kofton said. “We like to push each other, and we know what we can expect out of each other.”
Coach Feldman agrees, and believes her team is more relaxed.
“The game becomes easier when you start doing the little things better, and you do the little things better when you have confidence to just play in the moment,” she said.
BU’s next game is a critical one, as they return to Nickerson Field next Friday to take on Navy. The Midshipmen are also undefeated in Patriot League competition and currently hold the top spot in the conference standings. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.