Field Hockey: BU shut out for second straight game, fall to 3-5

By Alexa Podalsky

It was a rainy scene, not only in West Long Branch, N.J., but for Boston University Field Hockey (3-5, 1-1 PL) after their far-from-storybook weekend ending. Picking up two shut-out losses, the Terriers dropped their season record to .375. As their season rages on, BU faces an uphill battle after adding a 4-0 loss to the Monmouth University Shadows (6-3) Sunday.

Monmouth started off strong in the first quarter by attempting two shots in a minute, both of which went wide. Senior midfielder Thalia Steenssens received the first two penalty corners of the game, but neither brought the Terriers a goal. 

Going into the second quarter, the Terriers’ defense held strong against multiple offensive pushes from the Shadows. However, the New Jersey team had only four shots in the entirety of the second quarter due to the strength from BU’s defense. 

Monmouth’s graduate-student midfielder Nora Goddard-Despot received two penalty corners but the offense was unable to capitalize on them. 

The Shadows’ momentum only grew going into the second half as their offense dominated the field. The ball rarely left the Terriers’ side as their defense fought to defend their goal. 

Those efforts eventually fell short after Monmouth had three shots on goal and numerous penalty corners — setting up the Shadows to score three goals in the third quarter alone. The first two goals were scored by freshman midfielder Lauren Relik followed by one from Goddard-Despot.

The score was 3-0 entering the fourth quarter, and the Terriers pushed for a come back. Steenssens received a penalty corner that set up junior back Payton Anderson to put the Terriers on the scoreboard, but Monmouth’s freshman goalkeeper Jessie Eiselin made the save. 

Steenssens received another penalty corner a few minutes later, but after another attempt at the goal, the Terriers lost possession and Thomason was forced to save a shot from junior midfielder Sofia Fouces.

Already up by three goals, the Shadows had much more left in them. Goddard-Despot added fuel to Monmouth’s flame by receiving three penalty corners and setting up multiple scoring opportunities that failed to reach the back of the net. 

The Terriers regained possession with seven minutes left in the game and gave it their all for one last push. After an intense battle in the midfield, Goddard-Despot received a yellow card which provided the Terriers with an opportunity to score. 

In a last ditch effort, Steenssens received three penalty corners in the span of a minute and senior midfielder Pili Alvarez and sophomore forward Caroline O’Brien recorded shots on goal. But alas, Eiselin fiercely guarded the net and kept BU scoreless. 

With two minutes remaining, junior midfielder Jess Tucker passed the ball to Relik to complete the hat trick and bring the final score to 4-0. 

Despite the loss, Thomason had an impressive performance after saving nine out of the 13 shots Monmouth had on goal. 

The Terriers move on to another Patriot League matchup against the Bucknell University Bisons on Saturday, Sept. 30 at New Balance Field. The 1 p.m. matchup kicks off a six-game homestand and can be streamed on ESPN+.