BU Terrs Down Crimson in Bad Boston Weather

On a bitingly cold and windy day in Boston, the Harvard field hockey team (6-9, 2-3 Ivy) was unable to end its three-game losing streak yesterday against Boston University (9-9, 2-2 America East) as the Terriers came out on top 2-0.

“I think BU is a very strong team,” coach Sue Caples said. “I thought we had a really solid performance today. We need to continue to find more ways to attack and be more creative in our attack getting into the circle.”

After losing to Princeton last weekend 5-0, it was imperative for the Crimson to make a good showing in this midweek game.

“We played a lot better than we did on Saturday,” Caples said. “It was good to play a great team and keep it a close game.”

The only goals of the game occurred in the first half, where the Terriers outshot the Crimson 7 to 5.

BU goalkeeper Kim Kastuk was too much for the Crimson to handle as she recorded five saves in the shutout. Captain Kylie Stone notched three saves, but the lack of offense kept Harvard from capturing the win.

“They did a really good job of protecting [their goalie],” Caples said about the Terrier defense. “They weren’t giving us second chance opportunities.”

“[Kastuk] had some great saves,” Stone added. “She’s a good goalie.”

Harvard did, however, tally up seven penalty corners throughout the game while only giving up one, but was never able to take advantage of any Terrier mistakes.

“We had a lot of opportunities, we just need to capitalize more,” senior Abbie Harpstead said.

The closest Harvard came to scoring was in the beginning of the second half, when sophomore Leigh McCoy tipped a shot from freshman Georgia McGillivray. But the shot was saved and the Crimson was left silent.

“We were moving the ball well and with the speed we’ve been practicing all week,” Stone said. “We didn’t have a lucky day.”

Harvard showed some promise in the second half as the team held the Terriers scoreless.

“We wanted to focus a lot on our defense,” Caples said. “I think the team executed well.”

Harvard and BU both recorded three shots each the second half, but the goalies for both teams were perfect and stopped everything from entering the cage.

With less than two minutes remaining in the game, sophomore Chloe Keating was issued a green card.

“There was a little aggressive play,” Caples said. “The umpires were just trying to keep it down. We were trying to step up and be aggressive.”

“It’s not uncommon [to see a green card],” Stone added. “A team like BU is really physical.”

The Crimson will need to increase its offensive numbers in order to find themselves on the winning end this upcoming weekend.

“We need to focus on the team and keep going in a positive direction,” Stone said. “We are working off of these practices, focusing on what we do well, and making sure we can execute. We need to leave it all out on the field.”

Harvard will look to improve its Ivy League record this Saturday as they travel to New Hampshire to play Dartmouth at noon.