Kickoffs
Women and men have big soccer goals this season
Women’s soccer
When the women’s soccer team takes to home field tonight for the season opener against the University of Rhode Island, it’s got some big cleats to fill; last year’s team was the most successful in BU history, with 53 wins and 3 NCAA berths.
“They feel a responsibility to carry on a legacy of success,” says head soccer coach Nancy Feldman, leader of last year’s America East Coaching Staff of the Year. “They want to do something special, not just replicate previous successes, but do something more.”
The goal? Advancing deeper into the NCAA playoffs, and this year’s team has the talent to do it.
Captain Casey Brown (COM’10), a two-time America East Defensive Player of the Year, has helped shut out 32 opponents during her BU career.
Fellow captains Emily Pallotta (SMG’10) and Mara Osher (MET’10) have comparable credentials on offense; both had multiple-goal seasons last year and were All-Conference selections.
The combination of returning firepower, solid defense, and new talent has been noticed by coaches around America East, who unanimously voted the Terriers as favorites to take the conference title.
The opening game is tonight, August 27, at 7 p.m. at Nickerson Field. The season’s second game is sure to attract a crowd of returning fans; longtime rival University of Massachusetts, Amherst, comes to Nickerson on Sunday, August 30, at 6 p.m. Check in here for the full fall schedule.
Men’s soccer
On Tuesday, September 1, the BU men’s soccer team kicks off its season with a trip to Amherst and the University of Massachusetts. With a nationally ranked recruiting class, an America East conference championship, and a second-round finish in last year’s NCAA playoffs, men’s soccer is solidifying its standing among the elite of the East; the National Soccer Coaches Association of America ranks the Terriers 24th nationwide going into the season.
Head coach Neil Roberts appreciates the recognition, but takes it with a grain of salt. “It’s nice being in the polls, but does it mean we’ll play well?” he asks. “No. We still have to go out there and play our game.”
No one can say the Terriers are padding their schedule with easy competition; they’re facing five NCAA tournament participants in the regular season, including regional foes like the University of Connecticut and Green Line rival Boston College.
After two road trips, September 1 at UMass and September 5 at UConn, the Terriers play their first home game on Monday, September 7, against Providence at 7 p.m. The men’s fall schedule is available here.
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