Women’s Basketball: Terriers vs. Crusaders — who will start the season off strong?

On Monday, January 4, the 2:00 p.m. tip-off between Boston University women’s basketball and the Holy Cross begins the teams’ battle for the top spot in the Patriot League.

The adversity that each team has had to face to get them to this moment allows for a new tenacity to empower their basketball prowess. 

Last season, the Terriers out-powered the Crusaders with a 76-70 overtime home win and a 62-51 rout in Worcester. BU sported season-high field goals made (29), field goal attempts (66), and 3 pt attempts (26). Likewise, the Crusaders had a season-high against the Terriers for blocked shots (6).

Bu the past is the past, and the Crusaders have a new future ahead of them.

Come Monday, Holy Cross will have the opportunity to turn the table this season and pose a bigger challenge for BU under their new head coach, Maureen Magarity. 

Magarity previously spent her time leading the charge as UNH women’s head coach with a substantial resume of 146 wins during her time there. She also was awarded the Kay Yow National Coach of the Year and America East Coach of the Year honors in 2017. 

Magarity has the potential to pose a greater threat, not just for BU, but for all Patriot League teams.

Besides a new coach, Holy Cross has welcomed four new Freshman Janelle Allen, Bronagh Power-Cassidy, Cara McCormack, and Steph Davis. With a new coach and new teammates, there’s an opportunity for the Crusaders to bring even fresher intensity to the court.

However, these changes for the Crusaders this season haven’t fazed BU’s head coach Marissa Moseley, who is steadfast in the confidence of her team’s abilities this year. 

At a press conference earlier last month, Moseley mentioned that there’s a familiarity with the style of play Magarity has had at UNH, which she thinks is likely to transition over to her first season at Holy Cross.

Moseley also has two new freshmen on her roster — Kelsi Mingo and Sophie Beneventine — along with eligible transfer Emily Esposito.

“It’s been really fun to kind of watch their development as far as they’re getting into the rotation,” the head coach said.

The Terriers’ new members not only have a reliable strength in the faith of their coach, but also in the seniority of their team. With leaders such as Katie Nelson and Sydney Johnson, who Moseley says have “taken the time to show their new teammates the ropes and making sure that they understand like how we do things.” Nelson and Johnson also put up some pretty good stats last season, respectfully earning Patriot League honors of their own.

The competition is fierce and sure to set this season as one for the record books. 

The Terriers and Crusaders are looking for some big wins starting today at BU’s Case Gym. And with new adaptations for safe competition during the COVID-19 pandemic, the main priority is for the safety of all individuals involved come game time.