Cradling Their Way to Victory

Whether they were on the field, the track, or the court, Boston University’s athletic teams posted solid campaigns during the 2006–2007 academic year. Six women’s squads — cross-country, field hockey, indoor track and field, tennis, golf, and lacrosse — captured America East conference titles. As a result, BU snapped up its fifth America East Commissioner’s Cup, given to the athletic program with the highest score in the conference, in the past six years.

This week’s series features some of the shining sports moments covered by BU Today during the year’s winter and spring seasons. To read Monday’s story on BU’s sudden-death win over BC in the Beanpot, click here. To view Tuesday’s story on the Terrier women’s indoor track and field team’s America East win, click here. For Wednesday’s story on the women’s tennis team’s 14th straight conference title, click here. To read yesterday’s story on the softball team’s success, click here.

Part Five: Lacrosse Secures America East Three-Peat with 17-9 Victory over Albany

By Brian M. D. Kelley

The Boston University lacrosse team captured its third consecutive America East crown on May 6, posting a 17-9 victory over Albany in the conference title game at Stony Brook University. Lauren Morton (CAS’08) scored five goals, including the 100th of her career, and Angie Martin (COM’07) and McKinley Curro (CGS’08) each tallied three goals and two assists to help the Terriers extend their win streak to nine games and improve to 13-5 on the year.

The Terriers have now claimed six America East titles, including five of the last six, and have matched the league record of three straight championships, set by Delaware from 1997 to 1999. With the win, BU earns the league’s automatic NCAA bid and will make its third straight appearance, and fifth overall, in the national tournament.

Molly Collins (CAS’08) was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, and along with Morton, Curro, and goalkeeper Jenna Golden (CAS’08), made the All-Tournament team. Golden had eight saves in the victory.

Collins recorded two goals, an assist, three draw controls, and game highs in both ground balls (5) and caused turnovers (3). Sarah Dalton (CGS’07) added a pair of goals and Jenny Martin (CAS’10) came off the bench to record a goal and an assist.

Morton put in four of the Terriers’ first eight goals, helping the team jump out to an 8-1 lead. Albany scored in the final minute of the first half to make it 8-2 at the break. Traci Landy (CGS’08) and Curro tallied the first two goals of the second half, putting the score at 10-2 in BU’s favor. Albany responded by scoring six of the next nine goals during a span of nearly 16 minutes, but it was too little, too late, as the Terriers closed out the game on a 4-1 run to seal the victory.

Albany got a 15-save performance from senior goalkeeper Jen Daly and was paced offensively by freshman Kayla Best and senior Kate Fontana, who scored three goals apiece. Best added an assist for a team-high four points. The Great Danes, who were making their first appearance in the league title game, finish their season with a record of 8-9.

The Terriers held a commanding 20-8 advantage in draw controls, including five from Caitlin Defliese (CGS’08), and had a slight edge in ground balls (17-16).

This article originally appeared on BU Today May 6, 2007.