Boston College Athletics
Positive Results for Women's Soccer
August 21, 2006 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 21, 2006
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - It's been a busy week for the women's soccer team. After 10 days of preseason training, the BC Women's Soccer team faced some tough competition this past weekend.
On Friday (Aug. 18th) the Eagles traveled to Storrs (CT) to play former Big East rival, Connecticut. Boston College defeated the Huskies, 3-1, in the much-anticipated non-league match.
Boston College got off to a great start when senior captain Jenny Maurer slipped a ball to junior forward Kia McNeill, who calmly slipped the ball past the UConn keeper Amanda Schwartz for a 1-0 BC lead just four minutes into play.
The Huskies tied the game, 1-1, just two minutes later when Brittany Taylor capitalized in transition and lobbed the ball over the head of BC keeper Arianna Criscione.
Boston College increased the tempo and Criscione would have little to do in the remaining 40 minutes of the half. The Eagles took the lead for good in the 16th minute on another assist from Maurer. She connected with junior Tara Luciani at the far post. Luciani's initial shot was stopped but she jumped all over the rebound for a 2-1 BC lead.
The Eagles midfield kept possession and helped increase the lead in the 32nd minute. Maurer notched her third assist as she dug the ball out on the edge of the Connecticut box attracting the Huskies defense. Maurer released the ball to sophomore Caitlin Hiler, who hit an unstoppable one-time shot to the far top corner.
As the second half progressed, both teams started to use a number of different lineups and formations. Led by senior Mary Schneck, the Eagles defense remained tight throughout the half. The best Huskies chance came midway through the half. UConn's Elizabeth Eng had a great chance but Eagles sophomore keeper Sarah Buonomo smartly saved the offering to preserve the two goal margin.
Boston College freshmen Gina DiMartino, Melissa Gimpel and Kelly Henderson all looked sharp in their collegiate debuts.
Test No. 2: On Sunday the 20th the Eagles returned to action against Canadian team - the Burlington Flash. Boston College defeated the visitors, 4-0, behind two goals from sophomore Brianna Wilson-Byrne.
Boston College had another great start as Wilson-Byrne scored both her goals in the first 10 minutes. Senior Molly Dane and freshman Gina DiMartino finished off the scoring later in the match.
Freshmen midfielder Jackie Zywien and goalkeeper Mae Shamir clocked their first minutes for the Eagles. Shamir combined with sophomores Buonomo and Laura Harvey for the shutout in net. After being sidelined with an injury for much of the 2005 season, junior Kelly McGrane saw action at center back.
Corner Kicks: The Boston College women's team was ranked 10th by the NSCAA in the first poll of the season. The Eagles are one of four teams from the ACC ranked in the top 10 of the NSCAA poll. The other ACC teams are UNC at four, Florida State at six and UVA at the No. 8 spot ... Senior defender Laura Georges was named to the Watch List for the 2006 MAC Hermann Trophy ... The Eagles are also ranked in the ninth spot by SoccerBuzz Magazine ... The women's soccer team now looks forward to the season opener against cross town rivals BU at Nickerson Field on Friday at 7pm. ... Jenny Maurer and Heather Ferron are the captains of the 2006 Eagles team.
