Terriers Advance to Title Game

Second Straight Appearance in Championship for BU

November 3, 2008

BOSTON – Senior Marisha Schumacher-Hodge’s goal in the 55th minute helped the Boston University women’s soccer team break a program record with eight straight victories after its 1-0 triumph over Maine in the America East semifinals Sunday.

The Terriers (14-5-1, 8-0-0 AE) will now make their second consecutive appearance in the title game on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Nickerson Field, while Maine’s (6-6-7, 3-3-3 AE) season comes to an end.

BU junior Emily Pallotta set up the game-winner when she came sprinting down the right flank, carried the ball into the box and unloaded a shot that was blocked by a Maine defender. On the ensuing rebound, Schumacher-Hodge collected it and placed the shot into the middle of the net for her team-leading fifth goal of the season.

Sophomore Janie Reilly made a heads up save with 4:38 remaining when Maine’s Christine LaBelle rocketed a shot to the left side, which forced the Terriers’ netminder to make a leaping save and preserve the 12th shutout of the season, tying a program record.

To open the game the Terriers did not waste any time pressuring the Black Bears, earning five corner kicks and four shots in the first six minutes.

In the second half, BU picked up where it left off and broke through at 54:35 with Schumacher-Hodge’s tally. Following the goal, the Maine offense came alive, generating forward pressure. However, the Terriers did not bend, keeping Maine at bay for the final minutes of the contest.

BU outshot Maine, 20-2, and held the 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.

With the victory BU, which has gone unbeaten in 11 straight games, advances to championship game for the second consecutive year and will face the winner of tonight’s Binghamton-Stony Brook match-up.

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