BU defense commands American in 1-0 win, extends win streak to four – The Daily Free Press

BU graduate forward Amy Thompson during a game against Lehigh University on Oct. 1. The BU Terriers won 1-0 against the American University Eagles this past Saturday, Oct. 8th.
ELIZA NUESTRO/DFP STAFF

Boston University women’s soccer team notched a 1-0 win over American University on Saturday. The Terriers (8-6, 4-1 Patriot League) improved to 8-0-2 all-time against the Eagles (1-4-6, 0-3-2 PL).

“It’s really difficult to win on the road and win on the road at conference games,” head coach Casey Brown said. “(BU) really responded well in the second half, and we really found our brand of soccer and also the level of compete we wanted to have as well.”

The game was handled soundly by BU, with eight shots, three shots on goal and four corners. In comparison, AU worked only four shots, one shot on goal and four corners.

Both the Terriers and Eagles went scoreless in the first half, combining for only six total shots. BU’s defense held well throughout those first 45 minutes, allowing only one shot on goal.

Sophomore forward Morgan Fagan scored the Terriers’ only goal in the 58th minute. This is her fourth goal of the season and her team-leading 11th point. Junior forward Abigail McNulty and junior midfielder Lily Matthews came through with assists on Fagan’s goal. Redshirt senior forward Amy Thompson also made her presence known throughout the game, with three shots and a shot on goal.

Around the 80-minute mark, it became dicey as AU graduate student defender Asia Horne headed a corner kick towards the goal. Luckily for the Terriers, it sailed over the crossbar and out of bounds.

The Terriers’ goalkeeper tandem, senior Gretchen Bennett and sophomore Celia Braun, held off the Eagles’ attempts, saving only one goal throughout the entire match. This is the fourth consecutive game where BU did not allow a goal to be scored.

“Both Celia (Braun) and Gretchen (Bennett) have done an awesome job,” Brown said. “We are very happy with the performance of both of them and the options we have, the experience we have.”

The Terrier defense was rock solid, as senior defender Ashley Buck and redshirt senior defender Jenna Oldham played well around AU’s offense.

“Our entire team defending, from our forwards to our mids to our backs to the goalkeeping, has been excellent,” Brown said. “There’s been a real emphasis on our defensive organization and there’s been a real greatness to our play on the defensive side. So, I’m very happy for the entire team.”

BU will look to continue their winning streak on Wednesday as they travel west to Worcester to face off against the College of the Holy Cross.