BOSTON -- For the first time since 2005, an America East women's soccer is going to the second round of the NCAA tournament as 14th-ranked Boston University defeated Harvard, 3-0, in first-round action on Saturday at Nickerson Field.
Boston U. (19-2-1), which was hosting its first-ever NCAA contest, broke a scoreless tie in the 28th minute when sophomore Kylie Strom, a first-team all-conference midfielder, scored her eighth goal of the season and third in two games against Harvard this year. Freshman Ana Cuffia made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later off a cross from America East Striker of the Year Jessica Luscinski.
The Terriers, who have won a program-record 14 straight games, added a third score in the second half as the Crimson put one in their own net in the 62nd minute. Harvard actually held a 14-12 shot advantage but only put four shots on net and Terrier goalkeeper Alice Binns, a second-team all-league choice, stopped them all to record her seventh shutout of the season.
The win, America East's 11th all-time in the NCAA women's soccer tournament, is Boston U.'s first since its 2005 win over Connecticut and third in program history, the other coming in 2000 over Holy Cross.
The Terriers will try to become just the first America East team to reach the third round since Hartford in 1999 when they visit top-seeded Wake Forest on Friday in Winston Salem, N.C. on Friday, Nov. 18. Game time is to be determined.