The Boston University women’s lacrosse team scored a season-high 14 goals to beat Lafayette College on Saturday, 14-11.
The Leopards (2-10, 1-4 Patriot League) outscored the Terriers (5-5, 3-1 Patriot League) eight to five in the first half. Four goals from redshirt junior attack Mallory Collins and two from junior midfielder Ally Adams edged the Terriers in front in the second half. A revived defense and saves from sophomore goalkeeper Caroline Meegan helped keep the Terriers on top.
“It was a good team win,” said BU coach Liz Robertshaw. “I was really happy with the way the offense clicked today. I think they looked good, especially in the second half, some of the looks they found against a tough Lafayette team that came here looking for a win.”
Lafayette dominated the first half. The Leopards’ top scorer, sophomore Kirsten Wilhelmsen, netted a hat trick in the first four minutes of play. Wilhelmsen would later add three more, bringing her season total to 32.
In a 3-0 hole, junior midfielder Sofia Robins passed the ball over the top of the net where senior attack Lindsay Weiner was waiting in front. She swatted the ball into the net and put the Terriers on the board with their first goal.
Less than a minute later, Lafayette midfielder Amanda Case scored and gave the Leopards a two-point lead again. This back-and-forth continued until the first half ended with BU trailing by three.
Throughout the first 30 minutes, the Terriers could not maintain possession or win draw controls. They also failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Fifteen minutes into the game, Adams fired a free-position shot wide. Later, Collins picked up a dropped ball but could not turn it into a goal.
Robertshaw said she could not pinpoint what caused her team to struggle.
“I wish I knew,” she said. “I do think we were a little tentative. I think that’s where Lafayette really brought a tough game. They were aggressive. They were forcing some turnovers that I don’t think our players were ready for, and I think we settled into the game into that second half.”
The Terriers came back a new team after the break. Adams scored 41 seconds into the second half, pulling BU within two. Wilhelmsen answered for Lafayette, scoring her fourth of the game, determined to keep a three-goal lead. The Terriers rallied, scoring three goals in under four minutes, capped off by Collins tying the game at nine after forcing a turnover deep in the attacking third.
Sophomore Charlotte Rath, third in goals for the Leopards, scored on a nearly wide-open net, but the Terriers could not be stopped. Freshman attack Avery Donahoe scored her first career goal, one of four consecutive goals for the Terriers.
Not only did the Terriers score more in the second half, but they improved on draw controls as well, winning nine of 13 draws in the closing frame.
Team leaders such as Collins, Adams and junior midfielder Jill Horka stepping up triggered the rest of the team to follow, Robertshaw said.
“Jill Horka on draw control, the fact that she started dominating the draws, that really gave a lot of confidence to people,” Robertshaw said. “And then Mallory having a great game right here, four goals, and then Ally, two goals, two assists, I think it was huge. They looked confident. They played confidently, and that showed for the rest of the team.”
Case scored the final goal for the Leopards with just over eight minutes remaining, but BU had the last word. Over 20 minutes into the half, the Terriers passed back and forth along the top arc. The Leopards shifted their defense, but did not challenge BU, allowing them to maintain possession for over two minutes. Finally, Lafayette pressured the Terriers, but junior defender Remy Nolan added the 14th for the Terriers with five minutes to go.
“They fought us,” Robertshaw said, “and I thought we did a good job battling back.”
