Field Hockey: Terriers to take on No. 9 Harvard Crimson

By: Austin Rayamajhi

After beginning the weekend with a matchup against Patriot League rival, the Holy Cross Crusaders, Boston University field hockey (4-4, 1-1 PL) will wrap up the weekend with a matinee matchup against cross-town rival, the Harvard Crimson (7-1).

The Crimson are currently the ninth-ranked team in the country, and the non-division matchup comes after three straight in-division games for the Terriers.

BU and Harvard have had a tightly contested history, with their all-time record against each other being nearly even at 20-19-1 in favor of the Terriers. However, BU has struggled in their recent matchups, losing seven straight, including a 7-0 thrashing in a contest last year at New Balance Field. The Terriers’ last win against the Crimson was a 3-2 victory in 2015.

Harvard is led by Sophomore midfielder Lara Beekhuis. Beekhuis leads the team with five goals and 11 points, including a goal in each of the two games for the Crimson last weekend.

The defense has been stellar for Harvard, with Junior goalkeeper Tessa Shahbo having a great season. Shahbo has a goals-against average of .973 and a save percentage of .800, ranking her seventh in the nation for both stats.

Meanwhile, the Terriers are hopeful that senior midfielder Payton Anderson can continue her standout season. Anderson has scored in four straight games, including two goals in BU’s last game against Lehigh. Anderson is currently at seven goals on the season, tying her for first in the Patriot League, and is sitting on 31 goals in her career with the Terriers, placing her eighth all-time for BU.

While Anderson has provided the scoring, Junior Megan Wetzel and Senior Tegan Poerio have provided the assists. Wetzel is tied for third in assists among Patriot League players with five, while Poerio is tied for fifth with four assists.

The Terriers will face the Crimson on Oct. 6th at 1 p.m. at Berylson Field, with the matchup streaming on ESPN+ and airing live on NESN.