Women’s Soccer: Terriers draw to Loyola in a tight match

By Finley Rogan

Boston University Women’s Soccer (0-6-3, 0-0-1 PL) drew 1-1 to the University of Loyola Maryland (4-2-3, 0-0-1 PL) on Saturday. It was the beginning of Patriot League play for both teams.

“We’re happy with the point,” BU head coach Casey Brown said. “It’s important to leave here with something in your pocket, especially on the road, getting the conference point is great.”

The game started without much between the two squads, as both came out physically, tightly marking their opponents.

In the 16th minute, the Terriers played an awkward ball into the box, which bounced twice enticing Loyola’s goalie to come out and clear it. Instead, BU junior forward Margy Porta got there first and chipped a header over the goalie and defense, and into the back of the net to push the Terriers ahead 1-0. It was her second consecutive game scoring.

BU’s aggressive press and organized defensive shape limited Loyola from creating any huge chances in the first half.

In the 30th minute, Loyola found a rare shot from a tight angle, but Terrier freshman goalie Bridget Carr made the easy save for some of her first action of the day.

Although Loyola had some decent possession in the Terriers half of the pitch, BU was clearly the superior team in the first half. BU had one additional shot on goal and corner kick compared to Loyola in the half. Even with the additional effort from the Terriers, it was a largely uneventful period of play. 

In the 56th minute, Terrier graduate student midfielder Lily Matthews had a great opportunity to shoot in the middle of the box, however, the shot was blocked by the Loyola defense. The block deflected to the feet of BU sophomore midfielder Ciara Kennedy, yet her attempt was also blocked. It was the Terriers’ best scoring chance since the goal in the prior half.

BU gave up a free kick just outside of their box in the 64th minute. Loyola was able to capitalize on the chance, as senior midfielder Bailey Desmit scored a gorgeous goal into the left corner off the free kick, which left BU freshman goalie Briget Carr no chance to make the save. It was Desmit’s seventh goal of the season. The game was tied 1-1 with 25 minutes left to play. 

Loyola had another great chance in the 75th minute when senior midfielder Bailey Desmitt powered through the BU defense and attempted a curling right-footed strike, however, the shot was well over the net.

Just three minutes later, Bailey Desmitt had a near identical opportunity except there was less defensive pressure. Desmitt was able to run in on goal and attempt a powerful shot to the far post from the left side of the box Carr made a diving save, her best of the match up to that point.

“I thought [Carr] was terrific,” coach Brown said. 

Entering the final 10  minutes, Loyola seemed to more likely team to break the deadlock. They had another opportunity to score on a free kick in the 86th minute of play. Once again it was Desmitt, and once again it was a fantastic attempt. She managed to powerfully curl the ball right above the BU wall, however the ball struck the crossbar and bounced out into the box where the Terriers managed to clear it. According to the ESPN broadcast, it was her fourth time striking the woodwork this season. 

“She’s always dangerous from set pieces,” Brown said.

Neither team could separate themselves in the final minutes, and the game ended in a scrappy draw. However, the Terriers remained satisfied with the result.

“I think we had to better the ball, I think we put people in more dangerous positions, and we were able to create more dangerous opportunities,” Brown said.

BU will look to use their attacking momentum, as conference play continues for the Terriers, as they will travel to play Colgate at 6 p.m.