Boston University women beat Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Boston University women’s soccer team (9-5-0, 4-0-0 AE) outshot Hartford (4-7-3, 1-1-2 AE), 19-3, and came away with a 3-0 victory on Thursday evening at Al-Marzook Field. BU’s stingy defense stretched its shutout streak to six games and 558:02 minutes.

Juniors Tiya Gallegos and Jessica Luscinski along with senior Corie Halasz all scored unassisted goals to lead BU to its six consecutive victory. On the opposite end of the field, the Terriers’ defense continued to shutdown opponents’ offenses, limiting Hartford to just three shots all game and one on target.

The Terriers dominated the first half, moving the ball around the field easily and outshooting the Hawks, 9-1, which included six shots on goal. They wasted no time in pressuring the Hawks’ defense as Gallegos was opportunistic in the fifth minute heading home a shot off a rebound from senior Shauna Kelleher’s initial strike that ricocheted off the cross bar.

Luscinski upped the lead to two with an unassisted goal in the 31st minute off a free kick 25 yards out. It was her sixth of the season and second off a free kick. Following a foul just outside the box, Luscinski stepped up and bent it perfectly into the upper far right side.

In the 61st minute, Halasz found the back of the net for the first time this season on a beautiful arching shot to the far left post from 18 yards out.

Hartford’s first real opportunity came in the 68th minute as it earned a free kick just outside the 18-yard box, but the wall did its job, blocking Amelia Pereira shot attempt. As Hartford began to push more BU’s defense did not to bend, clearing out any dangerous balls that fell into the 18-yard box.

Freshman Kylie Strom nearly made it a four-goal game when she ripped a shot off a failed clearance, but Hartford’s Lauren Brodeaur made an incredible leaping save, which she punched out of danger.

The Terriers’ played possession soccer and dictated the pace of the game, while not allowing Hartford to get a good look at goal the rest of the way.

Head coach Nancy Feldman is now within two victories of her 200th win at Boston University. BU travels to Vermont on Sunday (Oct. 10) and will play non-conference foe Dartmouth Wednesday (Oct. 13).