Field Hockey: Terriers struggle against Lehigh
By Henry Dinh-Price
Boston University Field Hockey (3-4, 1-1 PL) was shut out on the road as they fell 1-0 to the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks (6-2, 1-0 PL) on Friday night at Ulrich Field.
The Terriers’ offense struggled to get anything going against Lehigh in a rematch of last year’s Patriot League Championship, which was also won by the Mountain Hawks, 2-1.
The Terriers registered their first shot of the game within 30 seconds. After drawing a penalty corner, junior back Payton Anderson’s shot was deflected away by the Lehigh defense.
The remainder of the scoreless first quarter saw a lack of opportunities from either side, as BU’s two shots outpaced Lehigh’s none.
Opportunities arose early in the second quarter for Lehigh as they brought pressure early on. Sophomore midfielder Kiki Mes recorded the Mountain Hawks’ first shot on goal 90 seconds in, forcing a save by BU senior goalkeeper Kate Thomason.
Just 45 seconds later, Lehigh scored the game’s only goal as first-year midfielder Ella Stephensen sent a shot past Thomason from the top of the circle. Stephenson’s goal marked the first of her collegiate career to give the Mountain Hawks a 1-0 lead.
With just under five minutes left in the first half, Lehigh senior midfielder Julia Gatelein collided with BU’s senior midfielder Rachel Borzymowski near the center circle, knocking Borzymowski to the ground. Gatelein was penalized with a yellow card, keeping her off the field for the remainder of the half.
Despite having an extra player on the field with Gatelein in the penalty chair, the Terriers failed to register a single shot on goal before halftime.
The third quarter started out well for BU — highlighted by two early penalty corners. The Terriers’ fifth penalty corner of the night gave Anderson a scoring opportunity, but Lehigh’s junior goalkeeper Jenny Canoni came up with a kick save to keep BU off the score sheet.
However, the Terriers were on the heels for the last seven minutes of the third quarter, as Lehigh forced a stunning six penalty corners. Thomason was forced into action on numerous occasions, which was capped off by a diving save to protect her near post on the Mountain Hawks’ third consecutive penalty corner.
Lehigh’s pressure on Thomason continued into the fourth quarter. After earning their seventh penalty corner of the game, the Mountain Hawks forced a full extension pad save from the BU goalkeeper to preserve the 1-0 scoreline with 12 minutes remaining.
Opportunities were there for the Terriers late as they worked to equalize. Junior midfielder Katie Devine’s slapshot from the right-side edge of the circle was blocked by the shin of Canoni with six minutes remaining.
Sophomore forward Caroline O’Brien gave the Terriers their best chance to tie the game with three and a half minutes remaining. O’Brien intercepted a pass deep in Lehigh’s defensive end to set up a close-range shot that was saved by Canoni at the near post. A second attempt off the rebound from O’Brien went wide, allowing Lehigh to regroup.
The Terriers’ attempt to even the score was made more difficult due to a green card picked up by senior midfielder Thalia Steenssens with under two minutes remaining, sidelining her and leaving BU shorthanded for the remainder of the contest.
Despite being down a player, the Terriers earned themselves one final chance when sophomore forward Martu Coulo earned a penalty corner. On the attempt, O’Brien’s backhand shot sailed high over the net.
Time expired on the Scarlet and White less than a minute later, giving Lehigh a win in their first PL contest of the season.
The Terriers were outshot 11-9 by the Mountain Hawks — 9-4 on goal. Thomason’s eight saves kept BU in the game, but the offense was unable to find that breakthrough moment.
With this loss, BU falls to 3-4 on the season.
They will look to bounce back on Sunday, Sept. 24 as they travel to face the Monmouth University Hawks. This non-league contest will begin at 12 p.m. in West Long Branch, N.J. with streaming available on ESPN+.