Women’s Soccer: Terriers continue winless start after loss to Harvard

By Charlie DeMatteo

Boston University Women’s Soccer (0-4-2) lost 1-0 to the Harvard Crimson (3-0-1) at Nickerson Field on Thursday night, as the Terriers couldn’t salvage anything from a game where there were chances on both ends.

While the Terriers looked promising at times, they were not able to string enough chances together to worry the Crimson, as they continue to look for their first win of the season.

“I’m really proud of our team,” BU head coach Casey Brown said postgame. “I thought that was a really strong performance against a very good side.”

The Terriers started on the front foot almost instantly against the Crimson, with their high press forcing a big chance just seco0nds into the game. Within the first 30 seconds, the Terriers’ press triggered by junior forward Margy Porta forced the Crimson into a turnover and junior midfielder Giuliana Gianino was there to unleash an effort saved by Crimson goalkeeper Rhiannon Stewart.

“Intensity is in our DNA,” Brown said. “I think we have intelligent ways to show that, and the way we can defend certainly is one of them.”

Harvard grew into the first half, however, as forwards Sarah Lloyd and Audrey Francois both popped up in dangerous areas threatening the Terrier goal. With that being said,the Terrier defense, especially freshman Maddie Green, Allison, Hanlon, and Helene Tyburczy, were all up to the task and did a stellar job at keeping the Crimson at bay.

The Terriers continued to show some promise through senior forward Morgan Fagan who was a bright spot all night on the right wing. In the 26th minute, Fagan burst down the right flank into open space before unleashing an effort on her stronger left foot that just curled wide.

“Yeah, I thought it was a really strong first 30 minutes from us, I thought we were the better side,” Brown said.

The Crimson responded with a big chance of there own though in the 32nd minute and took the crucial one goal advantage over the Terriers. Forward Nicola Golen showed some incredible skill as she danced past the Terrier defense and threaded a pass right to Susie Long who slotted home at the back post.

“I think the goal started to just change the momentum a little bit,” Brown said.

Golen continued to cause serious trouble for the Terrier defense as she carved out a couple more chances, but thankfully for the Terriers they entered the half time break down just the one goal.

The start of the second half was an even affair, with both teams threatening inthe attacking third. For the Terriers, freshman forward Jaiden Schulz showed some promising signs on the left wing as she fashioned a half-chance that Harvard eventually dealt with.

Harvard responded in the 64th minute though when Golen caused more trouble with a shot from close to BU goalkeeper Velia Braun, but it brushed off the right post and was eventually cleared off the line by the Terrier defense.

Bu had their best opportunity of the game in the 76th minute after Fagan broke through the Crimson defense to find forwarrd Samantha Aronson, but Aronson couldn’t keep her shot on target as a huge chance went begging.

“This non conference part is a lot about continuing to figure out relationships and different pieces and timings working off of each other,” Brown said. “I think there were a lot of positives out there tonight.”

The Terriers were unable to find the equalizer in the final 15 minutes, as Harvard took the win in the crosstown rivalry.

BU will look for their first win of the season on Sunday when they travel to New Hampshire to face UNH at 2 p.m.