Field Hockey: Terriers Lose 1-0 to Fairfield in Opening Round of NCAA Tournament

Featured Image by Duru Yuceturk

By Kit Humbarger

The Boston University field hockey team (8-11, 3-3 PL) was eliminated from the NCAA in their Opening Round matchup against No. 20 Fairfield University (16-5, 9-0 NEC) on Wednesday afternoon. The Stags overtook the Terriers 1-0 at Bedford Field. 

This was the Terriers’ 15th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. All appearances were led by head coach Sally Starr. 

Fairfield received their first corner seven minutes into the first period. After two more corners and four shots, senior forward Rylee LaLoup scored in the 13th minute off an assist by junior midfielder Noor Hellemans. 

BU senior forward Caroline O’Brien had two shots blocked in the second period. The second shot originally earned the Terriers a corner, but further review determined that Fairfield gained possession instead. 

The rest of the half was uneventful, with four shots for the Terriers and one shot for the Stags.

BU came into the third period strong, starting with a corner in the first minute. Junior midfielder Nicole Lauro had one shot, but it went wide. 

BU’s junior midfielder Maggie Driscoll was issued a green card, but the Terriers held Fairfield to their 1-0 lead. The Stags’ senior defender, Pilar Mengotti, was issued a yellow card with just over five minutes remaining in the period, but the Terriers were unable to capitalize on their advantage. 

Going into the fourth period at a one-goal deficit, BU stopped three straight corners. With five minutes left in the game, junior goalkeeper Sophie Ortyl was pulled from the net. The Terriers successfully defended two corners following Ortyl’s pull, but they were unable to tie the game up, even with Fairfield’s second yellow card in the last minute. 

Overall, the Stags outshot the Terriers 14-8 with six shots on goal in comparison to BU’s four. Fairfield also dominated penalty corners 9-3, with five earned in the fourth period alone. 

Ortyl had three saves throughout the game, while Fairfield goalie Payton Rahn had four saves. Both Driscoll and O’Brien also recorded a defensive save. 

O’Brien finished the season leading all Patriot League players with 37 and 15 goals. She was also ranked fifth in assists with seven throughout the season. Her single-season goals total is tied for sixth all-time, and her single-season points total ties her for eighth in BU history. 

This is Fairfield’s first win against the Terriers. The series is now 10-1 in favor of BU.