BC Eagles are Flying High

Women in Elite 8, Men in Sweet 16

November 23, 2009

Both Boston College soccer teams are alive and well in the NCAA tournament.

Brooke Knowlton

Brooke Knowlton's goal against Wisconsin Friday night sent the Lady Eagles to the Elite 8. (Photo courtesy of John Quackenbos/Boston College Athletics)

On Sunday, junior co-captain Karl Reddick scored the decisive goal – the game’s only score – in the eighth minute of play to lead the Boston College men to a 1-0 victory over No. 14 St. John’s in the second round of the tournament before 2,128 fans at Belson Stadium.

BC (14-8) will face Drake in the tournament’s round of 16 on Sunday. Game site and time are to be announced. It marks the first time since 2002 that BC has advanced to the round of 16 teams.

Meanwhile, the Boston College women’s team has advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1985 with a 1-0 victory over Wisconsin in front of 924 fans at the Newton Soccer Field Friday night. The Eagles, who got a goal from junior Brooke Knowlton in the win improved to 18-3-2, while the Badgers finish the seasons at 10-6-6.

The Lady Eagles take on undefeated No. 1 seed Stanford (23-0) Friday at 10 p.m. with a berth in the Final Four in Texas on the line.

Sunday, Reddick one-timed a cross along the ground from freshman Kyle Bekker with his right foot at 7:43 for the game-winner.

Freshman goalkeeper Justin Luthy recorded three first-half saves to earn the victory, his ninth shutout of the season.

St. John’s outshot the visiting Eagles 12-10, with a 9-3 first-half edge. BC totaled seven second-half shots to the Red Storm’s three.

Red Storm senior goalkeeper Derby Carrillo totaled three saves in the match, including a diving stop to his left off an Edvin Worley shot last in the first half of play.

Knowlton changed Friday’s game when she scored in the 62nd minute of the match. Knowlton picked up a loose ball when Victoria DiMartino collided with a Wisconsin defender. Knowlton ripped a shot high and into the top left corner from 22 yards out for the 1-0 lead.

Since the expansion of the 64-team bracket, Boston College has advanced to the Sweet 16 round five of the last six years. This is the first time under head coach Alison Kulik that BC has advanced to the Elite Eight.

“Coach (Kulik) always says to take it when you have an open shot. It could have been anyone but it happened for me today,'“ Knowlton said. “Our biggest strength is our depth. Everyone has the opportunity to score, I just had it today and took it.”

Knowlton almost had a goal earlier in the half when she ripped a shot from just 16 yards out. Wisconsin goalkeeper Michelle Dalton smothered the hard shot from Knowlton to keep the game knotted at 0-0.

BC could not capitalize on another great chance just 13 minutes into the half. Junior Hannah Cerrone had a direct kick from just outside the box. Cerrone’s shot went low to the far post and just went wide.

In the first half, Boston College held a 10-3 advantage in shots. The Eagles had a number of great chances, two off the foot of freshman Kristen Mewis. The midfielder from Hanson ripped a shot from 25 yards out that sailed just over the cross bar with 10 minutes to play in the half. Mewis had three shots in the half, while DiMartino registered three shots.

The Eagles’ defense was a key to the win as well as the corps surrendered only two shots on goal. The foursome in the back - Kelly Henderson, Cerrone, Alaina Beyar and Alyssa Pember - have allowed only 12 shots, zero goals in three NCAA games.

“The heart and soul of BC soccer is our team defending,” said Kulik. “They don't get a lot of publicity but to give as little chances as they do in the ACC is amazing.”

Boston College finished the game with 21 shots, eight on goal, while Wisconsin managed seven shots, and just two on goal. BC sophomore goalkeeper Jillian Mastroianni picked up her third shutout in the NCAA tournament.