Boston University women defeat Hartford

BOSTON - For the second time this month, senior Farrell McClernon broke a scoreless deadlock midway through the second half to lead the Boston University women's soccer team (10-5-2, 6-1-0 AE) past Hartford (4-10-2, 0-5-1 AE), 1-0, on Sunday afternoon at Nickerson Field. Senior Janie Reilly made four saves to record her sixth shutout of the season and the team's ninth overall.

Sophomore Jessica Luscinski picked up her team-leading seventh assist on the game winner to help the Terriers pick up their ninth win in the last 10 games, with six of them coming by way of shutout.

After a first half in which Hartford had an 8-6 edge in shots, the Terriers dominated possession in the second, out shooting the Hawks, 11-1. They finally broke through at 69:30, when Luscinski sent a pass through defenders from outside the box to set up BU's America East player of the game McClernon, who knocked it in past Lauren Brodeur from a short distance.

The Hawks had one attempt at 87:46 by Michele DeSanti, but Reilly was in place to make the easy save and preserve the victory.

In the first half, the Hawks came out aggressively, attempting four shots in the first nine minutes, but the defense was well positioned for each one. The Terriers had their best attempt of the half to take the lead at 43:36, when Tiya Gallegos set up Brittany Heist with a cross, Heist jumped up for the header but had too much lift on it, as the ball hit the crossbar and bounced away.

During the second stanza, the Terriers continued to apply pressure on the Hawks, attempting six corners in the first 25 minutes of action. Jessica Morrow headed one from Luscinski at 69:10 that Brodeur saved but could not hold onto to stop the attack. The ball found its way back during a scramble to the feet of Luscinski, who would then assist on the game-winning score.

The Terriers finished the game ahead in shots, 17-9, and corner kicks, 14-3. Hartford's AE Player of the Game Laura Guigli led her squad with three shots, two on goal, while Brodeur had four saves.

In other AE action, Stony Brook (5-1-1 AE) fell at Albany, 2-0, allowing the Terriers to return to the top of the standings with just one league game remaining against UMBC at home on Sunday, Oct. 25.

Before that contest though, the Terriers have a non-conference matchup with Bryant on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The game is slated to start at 4 p.m. at Nickerson Field.