ALBANY, N.Y.-- Boston University goalkeeper Rachel Klein made 15 saves, including 12 in the first half, to help the second-seeded Terriers top fourth-seeded UMBC, 11-10, in the America East Women's Lacrosse Championship title game at University at Albany's John Fallon Field. The win marked Boston University's sixth straight crown and 10th overall.
The Terriers, who earned the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Championship, will find out its postseason destiny when the field and bracket is announced Sunday night at 10 p.m. on CBS College Sports Network.
Halftime score was tied at 6-6, but it could have been worse for Boston U. if not for Klein's clutch performance in the net. UMBC ended up outshooting Boston U., 29-24, for the game and outshooting the Terriers, 19-11, in the first 30 minutes.
In the back and forth affair which featured five ties, Boston U.'s three-goal run to begin the second half made the difference. Less than five minutes into the second half, the Terriers held a 9-6 lead, the largest lead of the game. UMBC sophomore Emily Coady scored twice in a row to end the Retriever drought, but the Terriers held on to their lead to secure the victory.
Senior first-team all-conference attackers McKinley Curro and Traci Landy each tallied four goals for the Terriers, with Landy finishing with seven in the tournament. Classmate Xan Weitzel, a second-team all-conference attacker, registered three assists. The Most Outstanding Player of the tournament was given to Boston U. junior midfielder Rachel Collins who dominated play between the 30s, finishing the game with six draw controls, three ground balls and one caused turnover.
All of the Retrievers' offense came from three players. Coady tallied four goals after also scoring four in the semifinal game against Albany. Juniors Amanda Pappas and Ashley Stodter each notched a hat trick.
UMBC goalkeeper Kate Quick made seven saves in her collegiate finale, including five stops in the second half.
In addition to the shots category, UMBC also won the turnover battle, 10-19. Boston U. won 15 draws to UMBC's eight, and picked up more ground balls, 17-14.
All-Tournament Team:
McKinley Curro, Boston U.
Rachel Klein, Boston U.
Traci Landy, Boston U.
Rachel Collins, Boston U.
Emily Coady, UMBC
Sarah Willis, UMBC
Amanda Pappas, UMBC
Tricia Primomo, Albany
Ashley Ross, Albany
Jess Cassotis, New Hampshire
Hayley Rausch, New Hampshire
Most Outstanding Player: Rachel Collins, Boston U.