Women’s Soccer Notebook: Terriers fall to Northeastern in season-opener despite dominating open play

By Cameron Meyer

Boston University (0-0-1, 0-0 PL) came into their season-opener against Northeastern (1-0-0) on Thursday looking to wipe their slate clean from their devastating loss to Bucknell in the Patriot League Championship final last year, but ended up starting their season just as they ended the last: losing 1-0 thanks to a fortuitous goal from a corner kick. 

Terrier goalkeeper Celia Braun, who was in net when Bucknell scored that fateful goal last November, could’ve had deja vu witnessing Alexis Legowski’s winner from the sidelines early in the second half. Both goals were scored on the north side of Nickerson Field, both came from the corner nearest to the grandstand and both were slotted home after some defensive confusion in the box. 

Although their cross-town rival’s goal sunk their chances of an opening day win, the Terriers’ worst enemy on the night was themselves. BU dominated open play the entire game, but their offseason rust showed in the attacking third and it cost them. 

When the Terrier forwards got the ball at their feet, they were either too pensive when they had a good sight on goal or too trigger-happy when they had passing options. Even when the Terriers successfully fired off a shot at Husky goalkeeper Holland Stam, they were far from precise.

Despite having more shots on goal (7) than their opposition had shots (6), most of the Terriers’ strikes on-target were aimed straight at Stam, who made most of her saves standing upright. Lily Matthews, who was arguably the Terriers’ best player on the night, struck the only shot that tested the goalkeeper in the game, as Stam had to make a sprawling save to parry the midfielder’s strike on to the post in the first half.

Outside of the inefficiencies in front of goal, everything else should be encouraging for new Terrier head coach Casey Brown. The high-pressing from the Terriers overwhelmed the Huskies throughout the 90 minutes, and for long spells in the game, the away side couldn’t get the ball out of their defensive half.

The star of the Terriers’ pressing machine on Thursday was the midfield trio of Matthews, Julianna Stureman, and Giulianna Gianino. All three broke up plays and used proficient technical skill on the ball to work their team’s attack into dangerous spaces.

Brown can also find solace in how bright her new recruits looked. Most of the freshmen who made their debuts for the Terriers on Thursday had impressive performances, including Gianino. 

Although the beginning of Brown’s tenure has started on the wrong foot, the building blocks of a successful team were there to behold on Thursday. All the Terriers needed was a finishing touch. 

The Terriers will look to rebound and get their first win of the season on Sunday at home to Providence College at 6 p.m.