Field Hockey: Terriers gearing up to face Holy Cross, Harvard

By Stevie Potter

Boston University Field Hockey (3-5, 1-0 PL) will stay in Allston this weekend as they enter their second Patriot League game of the season against the College of Holy Cross Saturday at 1 p.m. The Terriers then face Harvard University on Sunday at 1 p.m in a non-conference matchup.

BU is coming off a 3-1 loss against No. 20 University of Massachusetts Amherst this past Monday. However, their first Patriot League win against Lehigh on Sept. 17 earned a coup;e players some hardware

Sophomore forward Payton Anderson was awarded the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week, making this her third weekly award of her career. Anderson won Rookie of the Week twice last season. Additionally, freshman midfielder Amalia Preece received the Rookie of the Week award. 

The Crusaders currently have a record of 2-6 (0-1 PL), and are coming off a 7-3 win against Merrimack. BU hasn’t lost against Holy Cross since 1982, scoring 95 goals across 27 matches. Last season, the Terriers defeated the Crusaders 6-1. 

The Crimson might prove to be a tougher opponent. This season, Harvard has defeated No. 24 Miami University (OH) and No. 23 American University. The Terriers historically have more wins, but are currently on their longest losing streak of five games against the Ivy League school, with their last win occurring in 2015. 

Junior midfielder Thalia Steenssens is a player to keep an eye on this weekend. In against Massachusetts, Steenssens received all seven penalty corners, with four of them occurring in the last five minutes of the game.