CAMBRIDGE, Mass.-- The Boston University field hockey team took home their third consecutive conference crown on Sunday afternoon at the 2007 America East Field Hockey Championship at Jack Barry Field on the MIT campus. The top-seeded Terriers defeated second-seeded Albany, 4-1, in the final. Click here for box score.
The Great Danes started the game by applying pressure on the Terrier defense and scoring the first goal of the game off a penalty corner. Freshman Sam Daly rocketed a high shot past rookie goalkeeper Kim Kastuk, while assists went to Anouk Vandenberg and Jess Lindsey. Boston U. responded to the Albany attack with its own penalty corner goal about one minute later. Sophomore Gabby Hajjar was credited with the goal. The scored remained 1-1 through the end of the first 35 minutes of play.
The Terriers put together three unanswered goals in the second half to become conference champions, despite Albany having a 9-7 advantage in shots on goal and 9-3 advantage in penalty corners for the game. Most Outstanding Player senior Pam Spuehler racked up four points on one goal and two assists to lead the way for the Terriers. Combined with five points in the semifinal game against New Hampshire, Spuehler finished the championship with nine points.
Boston U. receives an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament with the win, and will await pairings during the CSTV half-hour selection show on Tuesday, November 6 at 8 p.m.
Joining Spuehler on the All-Championship Team from Boston U. is senior Sarah Shute, junior Holly Wiles and sophomore Suus Dekker. Also on the All-Championship Team is freshman Anouk Vandenberg, and seniors Ashley Ross and Michelle Simpson from Albany, seniors Kiera Williams and Sam Geary from New Hampshire, and seniors Kim Striegler and Kelly McClintock from Vermont.
Semifinals, Friday, November 2
No. 1 Boston University 5, No. 4 New Hampshire 2
No. 2 Albany 2, No. 3 Vermont 1 (OT)
Final, Sunday, November 4
Boston University 4, Albany 1
All-Championship Team:
Suus Dekker, Boston U.
Sarah Shute, Boston U.
Pam Spuehler, Boston U. (Most Outstanding Player)
Holly Wiles, Boston U.
Ashley Ross, Albany
Michelle Simpson, Albany
Anouk Vandenberg, Albany
Sam Geary, New Hampshire
Kiera Williams, New Hampshire
Kelly McClintock, Vermont
Kim Striegler, Vermont
