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Field hockey team poised for the next level

By Brian Fitzgerald

When Sally Starr turns the clock back to November 11, 2000, the BU field hockey coach sums up that day in Chapel Hill, N.C., with five words that are anathema to any athlete or coach: "We had that game won."

	Jane Rogers (CAS'03) led the Terriers with eight goals last season. Photo by Tim Winn

With a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half, it looked like BU had a good chance to squeak by UMass-Amherst and into the second round of the NCAA tournament. But the Minutewomen tied the score at 26:53. And then came the fateful shot that ended the Terriers' season with just 5:22 left in the game. The ball deflected off the pad of goaltender Susan Harrington (CAS'03) and into the net.

However, the disappointing loss couldn't diminish what this young team had accomplished: back-to-back America East championships, two appearances in the NCAA tournament, and a final national ranking of 13 both years.

Now Starr is ready to take her team to the next level -- deeper into the postseason. "That's our objective, to not go out in the first round," she says. "And we definitely feel that we have the team that can do it. We had our best preseason since I've been here, and I think we have a more balanced team this year."

During the past 15 years, Boston University has been ranked in the top 20 in the final poll 13 times and has advanced to the NCAA tournament 7 times. In 1985, the Terriers went all the way to the Final Four. Their last first-round victory in the tournament was in 1991, when they made it to the NCAA quarterfinals.

Could this be the year that BU raises the bar and improves its postseason outcome? The Terriers do have a few holes to fill with the graduation of All-American midfielder Robyn Kenney (CAS'01), All-Conference First-Team forward Kate Cusick (COM'01), Second-Team defender Kate Conover (COM'01), and forward Kelly Clothier (SAR'01).

Starr points out that in the past the opposition has been able to focus on a handful of players to neutralize BU's attack. But the Terrier talent is more evenly distributed this year, and the team's freshman class has the ability to play anywhere on the field. There are several standouts returning as well. She expects Jane Rogers (CAS'03), a First Team All-Conference and Third Team All-America selection, to score even more goals than last season's team-leading eight. Senior tricaptain Felicia Cappabianca (CAS'01) is dependable on both ends of the field and "playing great," according to Starr, who describes Stanford transfer Dalinda Banuelos (CAS'04) as "outstanding."

Starr says an observer would be hard-pressed to find any weaknesses on the roster. In addition, BU's defense will receive a boost when Christina Strauss (CGS'02) starts at defensive end. Strauss has always successfully played forward -- she scored seven goals last year -- but Starr was impressed with her ability in the backfield against the U.S. Under-21 team last April. "During our multipurpose drills we saw that she had a lot of natural ability at defense," she says. "She has good instincts and game sense, and this move gives us more athleticism at the defensive end." In Harrington, "we have a veteran in goal," and her backup, Jodie Gardner (SAR'05), "is also playing well. We have great confidence in that position."

Last year, BU was at a crossroads, having lost four of five games midseason, including a 2-1 double overtime loss to New Hampshire -- the team picked to finish first in America East in 2001. But the Terriers responded to adversity by going on an 8-1 tear that culminated in the conference championship. This season Starr is looking at a schedule that begins with two tough road games in one weekend, at number 10 William and Mary on Friday, September 7, and at defending national champion Old Dominion two days later. BU, which lost 7-1 against Old Dominion last season, is 0-9 against the Lady Monarchs. Next on the agenda is a September 12 game at Boston College, a team that defeated BU 1-0 a year ago. "This is going to be a great test for us," says Starr.

Speaking of tests, on August 31, Starr brought the Terriers to Project Adventure in Beverly, Mass., for a rope climbing challenge course that was designed to boost trust and tenacity. "It was a great team bonding day," she says.

These athletes have confidence in themselves and each other, whether dangling in a harness 40 feet off the ground or on the field playing one of the nation's elite teams. "Everyone came back in great shape," says Starr. "We have one of the best attacks that we've had in a long time. This team is motivated to succeed."

7 September 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations