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.