UAlbany Field Hockey Falls in America East Championship Title Game to Boston U

Albany, N.Y. - Boston University's scoring duo of Kali Cardoza and Nicole van Oosterom combined for three of the Terriers' four goals in leading Boston U. to a 4-1 win over #17 UAlbany in the America East Conference Championship title game at Alumni Turf Field on Saturday afternoon. Boston U. claimed its eighth league title with the win.

The Terriers struck early with Cardoza netting the first goal of the game just 2:21 into play on an assist from van Oosterom, who dribbled down the right sideline and fired a crossing pass across the circle to connect with Cardoza. The two reversed the play in the final minute, with Cardoza hitting van Oosterom with the pass in the circle.

van Oosterom added her second tally of the game after halftime, as she dribbled into the circle, drawing UAlbany goalkeeper Kristi Troch out of the cage. A hard shot from the right side of the circle found the back of cage to give the Terriers a 3-0 advantage in the 40th minute. Boston U. wrapped up the scoring at 55:33, as Jacinda McLeod converted a penalty stroke.

UAlbany's Nicole Savage, who was named to the all-tournament team, broke the scoring drought for the Great Danes in the 66th minute, dribbling into the circle and taking a hard reverse stick shot that found the back of the cage behind Boston U. goalkeeper Amanda Smith.

The two teams were even with 11 shots apiece, while UAlbany held a 9-0 advantage in penalty corners. UAlbany's Christine Hoffman made two saves in the first half, while Troch stopped three shots for the Great Danes in the second stanza. Smith made two saves in the cage for Boston U. (10-11). UAlbany's Taylor Luke and Ashlyn Bach joined Savage on the all-tournament team.

UAlbany finishes the season with a 13-5 overall record after sharing the America East regular season title with Boston U. The Great Danes have made appearances in the past three America East Conference Championship title games.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

#18 UAlbany Field Hockey Clinches Top Seed in A-East Tournament With 2-0 Win Over Boston U - UAlbany Sports 2009

Cambridge, Mass. - Inge Baijens scored the game-winner just before halftime to lead #18 UAlbany to a 2-0 win over Boston U. in America East Conference field hockey action at Jack Barry Field on Saturday afternoon. Win the win, the Great Danes improve to 4-0 in league play and clinch the top seed in the America East Conference Tournament for the second straight season.

After playing most of the first half scoreless, Baijens notched the game's first goal in the 34th minute off an assist from senior forward Nicole Savage. The Great Danes doubled the score with an insurance goal by Alysia Hough in the 47th minute, with Savage once again handing off the ball. The Terrier's best opportunities came in the first half, getting all three of their shots on goal in the first stanza.

Starting goalkeeper Christine Hoffman turned away all of the shots by Boston U., improving her nationally-leading goals against average to 0.13. Freshman Kristi Troch relieved Hoffman at halftime, but did not need to make a save in the cage for the Great Danes. Terrier goalkeeper Amanda Smith made three shots in the cage for Boston U. (7-10, AE 3-1). UAlbany held a slim 9-8 lead in shots, and had a 6-3 advantage in penalty corners.

UAlbany (12-3, AE 4-0) will return to action on Wednesday, visiting Connecticut at 6 p.m. The Great Danes will close out the conference slate on Saturday, Oct. 31, hosting New Hampshire at 1 p.m.


UAlbany (12-3, AE 4-0) 1 1 - 2

Boston U. (7-10, AE 3-1) 0 0 - 0

UAlbany: Scoring - Inge Baijens (1-0), Alysia Hough (1-0), Nicole Savage (0-2). Goalkeepers - Christine Hoffman (35:00, 0 GA, 3 saves), Kristi Troch (35:00, 0 GA, 0 saves).

Boston U.: Scoring - None. Goalkeeper - Amanda Smith (70:00, 2 GA, 3 saves).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information