Boston College Athletics
Women's Soccer Prepares For BIG EAST Clashes
October 05, 2001 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 5, 2001
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Eagles Prepare For Important Weekend: The Boston College women's soccer team enters its most important weekend of the season as it looks to get back into BIG EAST contention. The Eagles will entertain No. 24 Miami and No. 9 Connecticut on Friday and Sunday, respectively, at Newton Campus Soccer Field. The Hurricanes (7-2-0, 2-1-0 BIG EAST) enter Friday's contest in a tie for second in the Northeast division of the BIG EAST, while Sunday's opponent UConn (7-3-0, 4-0-0 BIG EAST) stands all alone at the top of the Northeast division.
Miami's last game was five-days ago against Connecticut in Coral Gables, Fla. Even under difficult weather conditions, UConn easily defeated the Hurricanes 5-0. Miami was outshot by the Huskies 19-8. Following its decisive victory over Miami, UConn took on No. 12 Florida in Storrs, Conn. After jumping out to a 1-0 lead on a miscue my the Gator defense, Florida was able to score two-unanswered goals and go on to the 2-1 victory.
Boston College Versus The Opponents: The Eagles have enjoyed mixed success against this weekend's foes. In their only two meeting, the Eagles enjoy a 2-0 lead in the all-time series with the Hurricanes. Last year in Coral Gables, Fla., Boston College defeated Miami 2-0. Sophomore midfielder Sarah Rahko and senior forward Meghan Moore recorded the two goals in the shutout.
While Boston College has not enjoyed much success over Connecticut since the teams first meeting back in 1980, the Eagles lost a heartbreaker to the Huskies last year in Storrs. Junior forward Salla Ranta tallied the game's only goal with less than 20 minutes remaining to defeat 16th-ranked Boston College 1-0. The Huskies outshot the Eagles 18-4 for the game.
Scouting BC's Opponents: This weekend's contests will showcase of the individual scorers in the BIG EAST. For Miami, junior forward Ashley West leads the conference with 17 total points, 14 of which have come off of her seven goals, which it tied for the BIG EAST lead with two other players. Sophomore midfielder Vonda Matthews has been a strong playmaker this year for the Hurricanes. In just nine games, she has registered five goals and dished out three assists for a total of 13 points. Junior goalkeeper Rachel Elsby has been strong in goal for Miami. She has record two shutouts and has an outstanding 1.29 goals against average.
The UConn Huskies are led by freshman forward Kristen Graczyk and senior midfielder Alexa Borisjuk. Graczyk ranks second in the BIG EAST with 16 points, which have come off seven goals and two assists, while Borisjuk tallied three goals and added five assists. Graczyk and Borisjuk have been dominating in BIG EAST action as they stand 1-2 in the conference in total points. Graczyk has poured in nine points, while Borisjuk is one point behind with eight.
One of the keys to the No. 9-ranked Huskies team has been the play of sophomore goalkeeper Erin Rice. In her ten games this season, she has given up only seven goals for an average of 0.79 goals against per game.
Last Time Out: Goals by Rahko and Moore at the 11- and 15-minute marks were good enough for the Boston College women's soccer team to defeat in-state rival Boston University 3-1 at Newton Campus Soccer Field on Tuesday afternoon.
The win ended a four-game winless streak for the Eagles, as the last time was the most on BU's team.
Boston College was able to put the game on in the 78th minute when forward Morgan Page blasted the ball into the opposite corner of the net from around 18 yards out. Page's goal was the first of the season for her and the 37th of her career.
Eagles Lose MacDonald For Season: The women's team received bad new following Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Boston University. Junior defender Kate MacDonald with be out for the remainder of the 2001 season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, which occurred during the first half of the contest. MacDonald has started and played in all eight games this year for the Eagles.
Rhode Island Game Rescheduled: The Boston College and Rhode Island matchup, which was suppose to take place on September 25, has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday, October 16, at Newton Campus Soccer Field. The game was postponed because of poor weather in Boston back on the 25th.
Head Coach Alison Foley: Boston College women's soccer coach Alison Foley is in her fifth season as the head coach of the Eagles. Under her direction, the Eagles have become one of the elite programs in the country as BC has posted a 54-33-10 mark under her tutelage.
In 2000, BC staged a 14-7 campaign and advanced to the semifinals of the BIG EAST tournament. Alumnus Sarah Powell earned All-America honors, as well as BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Sarah Rahko was the league's Rookie of the Year and also garnered Northeast Regional All-American honors. The team's offense clicked at a high pace, scoring 54 goals, the most since Foley's arrival at the Heights.
Moore is Better: Forward Meghan Moore is off to a quick start this 2001 season. In nine games, she has recorded four goals and added one assist.
With her goal against Ohio State back on September 9, she earned her 20th goal of her career. She has also tallied 25 assists for a total of 67 points. Following her two goal and one assist weekend at the UConn/Diadora Classic, she was named to the All-Classic team.
Rahko Honored By BIG EAST: Forward Sarah Rahko was named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week back on September 10 after scoring two goals and dishing out one assist at the UConn/Diadora Classic.
She netted her first goal of the season in Boston College's 3-2 loss to Georgia. In the Eagles 3-1 triumph over Ohio State, she scored one goal and added one assist. Since then, she has added four more goals to give her five on the season, which is the most on this year's squad.
With her five goals and one assist through eight games this season 13 goals and 14 assists for a total of 40 points over her two years at Boston College.
Her performance at the UConn/Diadora Classic also garnered her all-Classic honors.
