No. 22 Maine at No. 10 Boston University
Thursday, September 28, 7 p.m.
at Nickerson Field (Boston, Mass.)
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Pulling Rank
Boston University and Maine are both currently enjoying their highest rankings in program history as they sit 10th and 22nd, respectively, in the NSCAA/adidas National Rankings.
Non-Conference Success
The Terriers and Black Bears are turning heads across the country with their impressive starts to the 2006 campaign. Boston University has already recorded two milestone victories as the Terriers opened the season with a 1-0 overtime victory over then-10th ranked Boston College and most recently downed No. 3 Santa Clara, 1-0. Maine also recorded an impressive 1-1 tie with perennial power Connecticut.
Regional Reign
The Terriers (1st in Northeast) and Black Bears (2nd) currently sit atop the NSCAA/adidas Northeast Regional Rankings and have dominated regional play this season. Boston University has recorded quality regional victories over Boston College (3rd) and Yale (10th), while Maine tied Connecticut (6th) and toppled Brown (8th).
Get to Know the Terriers
Boston University has won two of the last three America East Championships, both title game victories coming over Maine.
The Terriers have finished in the top four in the America East regular-season standings in each of the past three seasons.
Boston University’s 1-0 victory over No. 3 Santa Clara on September 15 marked the program’s first victory over a top-three opponent.
Terriers have allowed one goal or fewer in nine of their 11 games this season, including a conference-best seven shutouts.
Get to Know the Black Bears
Maine is off to its best start in program history as the Black Bears (8-0-1) boast the fourth-best record in the nation.
The Black Bears have finished in the top three in the America East regular-season standings in each of the past three seasons.
Maine has been to three-straight America East Championship games, including two against Boston University.
Maine is currently riding a string of four-consecutive shutouts and has not allowed a goal in the last 380:41.
Recent Rivalry
Over the past three season’s, Boston University and Maine have met a total of five times with each team winning once and the two teams playing to three stalemates. The Terriers and Black Bears met in the 2003 and 2005 America East title games with Boston University earning the league’s title both times. In 2003, the Terriers and Black Bears played to a 0-0 tie, with Boston U. advancing on penalty kicks, 3-2. In 2005, Boston University again got the best of Maine with a 2-1 double-overtime victory.
Premier Players
Boston University’s Lauren Erwin (Orange, Conn./Amity Regional) and Maine’s Laura Harper (Nepean, Ontario/Mother Teresa) are two of America East’s shining stars. Erwin has won back-to-back America East Player of the Week awards, while also receiving Soccer America National Player of the Week and Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week distinctions. Harper currently leads America East in points per game (1.56 ppg) and goals per game (0.67 gpg). The couple share the conference lead in game-winning goals with three apiece.
Superb Stoppers
It’s probably no coincidence that Boston University and Maine also boast two of the conference’s top goalkeepers. The Black Bears’ Jasmine Phillips (Nepean, Ontario/Merivale) leads America East and ranks fourth in the nation in save percentage (.936) and seventh in the nation in goals against average (.319). The Terriers’ Stephanie Dreyer (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) isn’t far behind as she ranks 14th nationally in goals against average (.432) and save percentage (.889).
Postseason Impact
The importance of the America East women’s soccer regular season cannot be overstated as the conference’s top squad earns the right to potentially host all rounds of the 2006 America East Championship. The past five America East Championships have been won by the home team. The No. 1 seed will play host to the first and semifinal rounds of the conference tournament on October 27 & 29. The highest remaining seed will then play host to the league’s title game on November 4/5 with the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line.