Boston University Advances in NCAA Field Hockey Championship with Win Over Iowa

Boston University Advances in NCAA Field Hockey Championship with Win Over Iowa

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Courtesy: Boston University Athletic Communications

STORRS, Conn.-- Sophomore Suus Dekker broke a scoreless tie in double overtime to push the Boston University field hockey team into the second round of the NCAA tournament with a thrilling 1-0 victory over Iowa on Saturday afternoon at UConn's George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex. With the win, Boston U. advances to Sunday's quarterfinal against UConn, a 4-1 winner over UMass, at 2 p.m.

On a penalty corner in the 88th minute, Dekker drilled a reverse stick drive from the left side that was saved by Iowa goalkeeper Lissa Munley. The rebound found its way to Dekker and she took full advantage of it, sending the ball to the boards to ignite an eruption on the Terrier sideline.

The Terriers dominated possession for the majority of the game, but Iowa's defense in its own circle was outstanding. Munley made 10 saves to keep her team in the game, but the Terriers would not be denied in their attempt to reach the NCAA second round for the first time since 1991.

"I couldn't be more proud of the team's tenacity and poise in an incredibly competitive atmosphere," said head coach Sally Starr. "All of the games we played this season - especially the losses to teams like Maryland and Duke - prepared us for today and we feel that we are capable of playing at this level."

Boston U outshot Iowa, 15-6 - including 7-0 in overtime - and earned five penalty corners while allowing just one.

Freshman goalkeeper Kim Kastuk was impressive in her NCAA debut, stopping all three shots on goal she faced to pick up her seventh shutout of the season.

The triumph allowed the Terriers to set a new program record for wins in a season with 18, and the eight-member senior class is now the winningest class in school history with 61 victories over four seasons.