Field Hockey Falls To Boston University, 2-0

Sept. 17, 2006

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Gabby Hajjar scored just over five minutes into the game and Boston University (3-4) hung on to defeat Massachusetts (2-5), 2-0, Sunday afternoon at Jack Barry Field. UMass was unable to penetrate BU's pressing defense and could muster just five shots, none of which were on goal. UMass junior goalkeeper Becky Letourneau (Greenfield, Mass.) made four saves on the day, including some big ones late in the first half to keep UMass down just one goal. The second Terrier goal scored on a penalty stroke after the final horn had sounded.

UMass had the first scoring chance just two minutes into the game. Junior Rachael Mervine (Conway, Mass.) made a perfect centering pass from the right side of the circle to a streaking sophomore Katelyn Orlando (Manchester, Mass.). Orlando tried to one-time the ball into the cage, but had her shot go wide right.

The Terriers took advantage of their first chance and took a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute. Hayley Hamada ripped a shot from the right side that was tipped into the back of the cage by Gabby Hajjar.

Play was wide open for the rest of the half. The Terriers had the majority of scoring chances, but UMass junior goalkeeper Becky Letourneau (Greenfield, Mass.) made some big saves to keep the Minutewomen's deficit at just one goal. UMass got its only penalty corner of the half just before halftime. Mervine tried to tip-in a shot from the top of the circle by junior Kara Murphy (Dedham, Mass.), but her re-direct went just wide to the right. BU out-shot UMass 6-4 in the half, but the Minutewomen did not have any shots on goal. Letourneau made three saves for UMass after allowing the early goal.

BU came out pressing in the second half and UMass had a lot of trouble penetrating it and getting into the offensive zone. The Minutewomen finally got some offensive presuure with just under five minutes left. A flurry in front of the net gave UMass a penalty corner with just 4:50 left. After inserting the ball, Parker camped out on the near-side post and tried to tip-in a shot by freshman Cher King (Christ Church, Barbados) but she was unable to get a stick on it and the shot sailed harmlessly wide.

BU was awarded a corner with no time left on the clock. After thrtee more corners, Suus Dekker had a penalty stroke due to Murphy touching the ball inside the goal. Dekker converted to make the final score 2-0.

BU out-shot UMass 15-5 in the game, but seven of those shots came in the last second flurry. Letourneau finished the game with four saves. The Minutewomen had two corners and no shots on goal. BU had seven corners.

Massachusetts will close out its season-opening eight-game road trip on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Dartmouth. Game time is 6:00 PM and live stats will be available via Gametracker at www.umassathletics.com. UMass then returns home for the first time this season to host Connecticut on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 1:00 PM.

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Team Stats

KING Cher

ORLANDO Katelyn

MURPHY Kara

MERVINE Rachael

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics