Field Hockey: BU Takes Season Opener Against Providence College

By Gracie Davenport

The Boston University women’s field hockey team opened its 45th season with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Providence College. The Terriers hosted the Friars Friday afternoon at Boston College’s Newton Campus Field while their home stadium remains under construction. 

After a slow start, the Terriers found their legs and pulled out their eighth consecutive season-opening win thanks to goals from sophomore forward Payton Anderson and junior forward Tess Csejka. 

During the first quarter, the Friars dominated the Terriers in all aspects of gameplay. At the 12:32 mark, Providence was awarded the game’s first penalty corner. Unsuccessful after their first shot, the Friars ultimately cashed in on the rebound. Cami Crook’s shot trickled through the legs of senior goaltender Caroline Kelly to give Providence the 1-0 lead. 

Boston also received a corner in the final eight seconds of the quarter, but a big save by Providence’s Asia Porter kept the Terriers off the score sheet. 

The two teams appeared more evenly matched in the second quarter. The Terriers got a boost of momentum early in the frame from the speed of freshman Martu Coulo, who is one of six freshman additions to the team. BU could not find the back of the cage but led the period in shots 2-1 and shots on goal 2-0. 

By the third quarter, the momentum had switched in favor of the home team. Just 1:44 in, Csejka found the back of the net through lots of traffic to tie the game at 1-1. 

Then, with 3:31 to go in the frame, BU earned its second and final penalty corner. Anderson, who led the team in scoring last season, successfully shot the ball into the left corner of the cage to give the Terriers the 2-1 lead. 

Four minutes into the fourth, an incoming storm paused the game. Following a three-hour rain delay, the two teams finished off the final minutes of the game. BU held its 2-1 lead as neither team managed to record a shot on goal. 

Providence led the game in shots 7-5, but the Terriers edged them in shots on goal 5-4. 

With the win, BU’s record against Providence improves to 8-2 over their last ten matchups and 22-11 overall. 

The Terriers will look to continue their momentum into Sunday’s 1 p.m. road game against the New Hampshire Wildcats in Durham, N.H. at Memorial Field.