Field Hockey: Terriers Clinch Regular Season Title in Win over Bucknell
By Gracie Davenport
Boston University Field Hockey (9-8, 5-1 PL) capped off their winning regular season with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Bucknell University (5-12, 3-3 PL) on Sunday afternoon. With this win, the Terriers secured the No. 1 seed and become Patriot League regular season champions for the sixth time in the past eight seasons.
Although each team had clinched a playoff spot prior to this game, this face-off was pivotal in deciding the final seeding. Star players on either side stepped up big in this final regular season matchup.
The first quarter remained relatively quiet as both teams settled into the game until junior forward Tess Csejka got the Terriers on the board first. This was an individual effort from Csejka, who took the ball into the circle and forcefully tomahawked it past the Bison’s goalkeeper. This marked her 10th goal on the season, and she leads BU’s offense.
Early in the second, senior midfielder Mikayla Crowley was assessed a green card. The Terrier defense was able to limit any attacking plays in the absence of Crowley, but shortly after, the Bison were awarded their second penalty corner of the game.
Sophomore forward Lily Neilson’s shot went off a BU defender and into the back of the cage. With this equalizer, Neilson notched her 14th goal on the season. She has been the brunt force of Bucknell’s offense, and this goal puts her season total at sixth-most in program history.
The rest of the frame was similar to the first quarter. Neither side could sustain much offensive possession in a back-and-forth style of play. Both teams’ defenses stood strong to limit any dangerous plays from occurring.
Coming into the second half, BU found their game. The Terriers received their first corner of the game two minutes in. The shot went just wide of the open cage, but BU built momentum off of this.
Just three minutes later, senior midfielder Rachel Borzymowski stopped a Bucknell play from developing midfield and took the ball into the attacking third. She passed it to freshman forward Martu Coulo in the circle, who drew a penalty corner for the Terriers. On the attempt, sophomore forward Payton Anderson put one home, but the goal was waved off. This disallowed goal failed to halt BU’s momentum as the Terriers continued their dominance.
Looking for redemption, BU received another penalty corner eight minutes later. Anderson found the back of the cage once again, and this one stood. The New Zealand native cleanly shot the ball into the top corner past the Bison goalkeeper to give the Terriers the 2-1 lead.
This goal marked Anderson’s fifth tally in her last three games. Anderson and Csejka accounted for 19 of BU’s 31 goals this season. During this quarter, Bucknell struggled for possession in the midfield or their attacking zone, but overall their defense was effective at shutting down BU.
In the final frame, the Terrier midfielders continued to restrict Bucknell’s offense from advancing. However, with 10 minutes left, the Bison received a much-needed penalty corner.
Senior goalkeeper Caroline Kelly made back-to-back saves to keep BU’s lead. Kelly has been vital to BU’s success this season and holds the second-best save percentage in the Patriot League. Building off this failed attempt, Bucknell generated more pressure on the Terriers over their best run of the second half.
As the time ran down, chaos ensued. With 1:21 remaining, the Bison secured yet another corner attempt. Since the initial shot went off a BU body part, Bucknell was given another chance. On this second attempt, Neilson converted to tie up the game late. However, following a lengthy celebration, the officials announced the goal was being called back. The score remained 2-1 in favor of BU.
In the final 11 seconds, Bucknell was given one final corner attempt to try and tie the game. Ultimately, Kelly fought to make the save on Neilson, and the Terriers took home the win.
Finishing first in league play, the Terriers exceeded this season’s expectations. In the preseason coaches poll, BU was expected to miss the postseason and finish fifth overall.
With this loss, Bucknell remains in the No. 4 spot and will face BU again in the semifinals Thursday night. These two teams will hash it out in Washington D.C. with the game time to be determined. Because BU’s field remains under construction, the tournament-hosting honors are passed to the No. 2 seed American University.