BC women's soccer crushes Brown, 3-0

Wow - fresh off a tough defeat at the hands of Stanford on Sunday, the women's soccer team looked incredibly impressive this afternoon in a 3-0 drubbing of Brown to improve their record to 3-1 on the season.

There was a very nice crowd on hand, with a ton of kids - more kids than I've ever seen at a BC soccer game - and BC athletics did a great job, hosting a kids game at halftime and giving away "We are BC" drawstring bags to all fans in attendance. They have definitely stepped up their presence at soccer games so far this season, and for that I am very grateful. It appears that the athletic department is taking the marketing part of their job far more seriously this year; let's hope it yields results in the form of increased fan support.

The game itself was Eagle domination, start to finish. BC was faster, stronger, craftier, hungrier - Brown could do nothing, really. Brown had two very good chances on goal, one in each half, and freshman keeper Jillian Mastroeinni tipped both aside with nice saves.

On the other side, Brown keeper Breanna Hogue was helpless against a 15-shot BC attack. Caroline Walden scored the first goal, ripping a long, low shot from outside the box that rolled into the corner of the net, past an outstretched Hogue; she was screened on the shot and didn't jump for it until the last second.

Goal number two was a work of art - Kelly Henderson slipped it past a defender on the left wing to Alaina Beyar, who outran the defense and knocked the ball past Hogue. Gina Dimartino had a nice tip-in in front of the net late in the game to put the nail in the coffin.

It was a good day all around: the men's soccer team beat Villanova, 1-0, and the field hockey team beat Quinnipiac, 2-0. Volleyball lost to South Carolina 3-0 in Kingston, RI, the only blemish on the day - hopefully they can bounce back tomorrow as they continue tournament play in the Ocean State.

Photo Gallery: BC men's soccer vs. BU

Good luck to all BC teams competing today! I'll be at the women's soccer game vs. Brown at 5 PM.

Hockey tournament schedule (updated)

The dates are slightly different this year than they have been the past two years.

2/28 - Women's Hockey East Quarterfinals - 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5 (Campus Sites)
3/7-8 - Women's Hockey East Semifinals & Finals (Providence)
3/13-14 - Women's NCAA Regionals (Campus Sites)
3/13-15 - Men's Hockey East Quarterfinals (Campus Sites)
3/20 - Women's Frozen Four (Agganis Arena, BU)
3/20 - Men's Hockey East Semifinals (TD Banknorth Garden)
3/21 - Men's Hockey East Championship (TD Banknorth Garden)
3/22 - Women's National Championship Game (Agganis Arena, BU)
3/27-29 - Men's NCAA Regionals
4/9-11 - Men's Frozen Four (Washington DC)

Tentatively planned road trips for 2008-09

Here's some of the places I'm trying to get to this year...(Tentative)

Football-
Bowl game (God willing). When & where TBA

Men's Hockey-
all Boston road games
10/31 @ Merrimack
11/30 @ Dartmouth
1/2-1/3 @ New Brunswick
1/30 @ Providence
2/14 @ Lowell
2/20 @ UNH
3/27-29 @ NCAA regionals, place TBA
4/9-11 @ NCAA Frozen Four, Washington DC

Women's Hockey-
all Boston road games
10/8 @ UNH
10/25 @ Providence
11/5 @ Dartmouth
11/20 @ UConn
12/5 @ UConn
1/9-1/10 @ St. Lawrence (including St. Lawrence vs. Clarkson men's games)
1/29 @ UNH
2/22 @ Providence
2/27-3/1, Hockey East Tournament in Providence
3/6-3/8, NCAA Regionals, site TBA
3/13-3/15, NCAA Frozen Four @ BU

Men's Basketball
11/24-28, TBA, Preseason NIT (NYC?)
1/27 @ Maryland
March - NCAA tournament in Boston

Women's Basketball
11/18 @ Holy Cross
12/29-30 @ Dartmouth tournament

Men's Soccer
10/14 @ Yale

Really?

The BC men's soccer team lost to Providence yesterday, 1-0. This is quite a surprise. Hopefully they bounce back this weekend, as they take on Villanova and St. John's at the Adidas-Brown Classic in Providence.

The women's basketball team announced their schedule for 2008-2009.

On tap this weekend:

The men's soccer and women's volleyball teams both will participate in tournaments in Rhode Island this weekend, with the volleyballers in Kingston and the men's soccer team in Providence.

Women's soccer has two home games: Friday night at 5 PM vs. Brown, and Sunday afternoon at 1 vs. Toledo.

Field hockey has a pair of road games - at Quinnipiac Friday at 4, and at Holy Cross Sunday at 12.

Also, there's a football game. :)

Up and down

The field hockey team blasted Vermont this afternoon, 4-1.

Out in Palo Alto, CA, the women's soccer team is currently being whooped by #9 Stanford, 3-0, with less than ten minutes remaining in the game.

Women's volleyball took two out of three matches over the weekend to open up their season.

Men's soccer heads to Providence tomorrow to take on PC at 2:00 PM.

A fine start

Tonight's football game didn't have me pounding my chest and belting out "For Boston," but it got the job done. You can never complain when you a) start the season with a win and b) pitch a shutout on defense.

Chris Crane looked to be servicable under center, and he had his moments of excellence. With the exception of one awful forced pass in the red zone that was nearly picked off, Crane made excellent decisions all day. His legs accounted for two of our scores, and he demonstrated some serious arm strength. His accuracy is questionable, but hey - it's game one. In Matt Ryan's first game, BC got thumped by Syracuse in the Worst BC Loss Ever (TM).

Four names that make me smile, which need no further explanation:
-Jeff Smith
-Mark Herzlich
-Ryan Quigley
-Billy Bennett

Seriously, if we can get kicking like that, it will make a huge difference. Our defense was outstanding last year and it had to stop opponents that consistently started at or near the 40 yard line. Giving them an extra 20 yards can only be helpful.

For all of the defense's flaws (missed tackles, a lack of speed, letting the QB get away from near-sacks one too many times), they shut out Kent State and held Eugene Jarvis to a mere 55 yards. Can't complain.

The win capped off an outstanding first week for BC's fall sports teams.

The BC women's soccer team started it off right last Friday night, downing BU 1-0 at Nickerson Field. The men's soccer team equaled their accomplishment, beating the Terriers 2-1 in Newton in my very first attended sporting event of the year.(Photos coming later.) The field hockey team started with a win over UMass, and the women's soccer team went to 2-0 with a win at Oregon State.

Not bad, eh?

On to week two!

Soccer exhibitions & the pre-season NIT

BC men's soccer had its first exhibition game on Monday, taking on Southern Connecticut in Newton. I can't find the result on the BC or SCSU site, but it doesn't really matter anyway.

This weekend, I will be in Toronto, enjoying a brief getaway. I'm excited about this, but disappointed that I will be missing the first real game of the season: women's soccer @ BU on Saturday night.

There will also be two exhibition games at the Heights this weekend: men's soccer vs. Northeastern on Friday, and field hockey vs. Connecticut on Sunday.

In other news, the preseason NIT schedule has been released. BC hosts the east regional on November 16 & 17, taking on Loyola (MD) in the opener; if BC gets past Loyola, they will face the winner of St. John's vs. Cornell.

The semifinals & finals are at MSG on November 26 & 28 - a worthwhile road trip, perhaps, although it would be hard to do in mid-week.

BC women's soccer loses to UConn, 2-1

Recap taken from uconnhuskies.com:

STORRS, Conn. (August 17, 2008) – The University of Connecticut women's soccer team beat Boston College today 2-1 at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium in an exhibition match. The Huskies scored two goals within four minutes of each other to close out the first half with a 2-0 lead. Boston College cut the lead in half 20 minutes into the second half but were unable to get any closer as the Huskies defended the Eagles second half attack.

Boston College had an opportunity to take an early lead 7:10 into the game but an offsides penalty negated what could have been their first goal. UConn's first goal came with 6:51 remaining in the first half. Elise Fugowski (Stockholm, N.J.) looped a pass over two Boston College defenders to Sarah Stanczyk (Grosse Point, Mich.) who powered a shot to the top-left corner of the goal just barely getting by the outstretched hands of BC goalie Sarah Buonomo.

Less than four minutes later, on a cross from the right from Brittany Tegeler (Baldwin, Md.), Fugowski found herself with another goal scoring opportunity. Fugowski's shot found the lower left corner of the goal to put the Huskies up 2-0 right before the half.

Boston College came out firing in the second half as they outshot the Huskies 13-2. But only one of the shots made it into the goal. Kelly Henderson took a shot on goal that hit the post drawing goalie Jessica Dulski out of place. Julia Bouchelle took advantage of the Dulski's misplacement striking the ball into an almost open net. But that was as close as BC got as UConn won the game, 2-1 in regulation.

The Huskies will begin their regular season at home Monday, August 25 against Central Connecticut with a game time start of 7:00 p.m.

BC's Olympians fall shy

BC grad Carrie Howe's USA women's sailing team came up just short of a medal on Sunday, finishing 4th in the women's yngling class. Great Britain won the gold.

Earlier in the week, Charlie Davies made his first appearance for the US soccer team and impressed, instantly adding potency to the US attack with great speed and a nose for the net. Unfortunately, his contributions were too little, too late, as the US lost to Nigeria, 2-1, knocking the Americans out of the tournament.

*

The BC women's soccer team opens their season this afternoon at 1 PM with an exhibition against UConn in Storrs, CT.

The men take on Southeastern Connecticut State tomorrow afternoon at 4 PM, and since I'm a very sick person, I will probably be in attendance.

Modest goals: Things I'd like to see in '08-'09

I'm not greedy. Really, I'm not. Especially after seeing the men's hockey team win the national title.

Thus, this list won't be filled with things like "Football team wins the national championship," "Men's hockey team goes undefeated," or "Lauren Wiedmeier wins Patty Kaz." This is just a list of a few modest, attainable goals that I'd really like to see BC accomplish in the upcoming season.

-Baseball team qualifies for the ACC tournament

BC has shown signs of progress in baseball since joining the ACC, but nobody is under the illusion that they are on the verge of becoming a powerhouse. But Sliding into the #8 spot is certainly possible for the Eagles, and to do so the year the ACC baseball tournament is hosted at Fenway Park would be extra sweet. I really want to be able to sit back at Fenway and watch the Eagles participate in the ACC tournament. Make it happen!

-Women's Basketball team qualifies for NCAA tournament

Year 1 of the Crawley Era could obviously go either way. We could take the Jags route, upgrading with the debut of an exciting, new coach; or we could take the Katie King route, taking a step back with an inexperienced regime. The talent, however, is undeniable - BC has a young, strong team that could very well be comfortably within the top 6 of the ACC. That ought to be enough to get into the NCAAs. I think that Crawley, just like Jags, represents change we can believe In. YES WE CAN!

-Women's hockey team cleans up against the bottom feeders

I think every team in every sport looks back on the past season and pinpoints a few games that they 'should have won.'

BC women's hockey was bitten badly by that bug in '07-'08, losing once to Maine and twice to Northeastern. With the HE tournament field expanding to six teams, qualifying that should be a mortal lock (knock on wood). But if BC is going to make it into the Big Dance, they're going to have to beat up on the weaker teams in Hockey East.

-A loud, sellout crowd for banner-raising night against Wisconsin

This isn't too much to ask, is it? I didn't think so. Assuming the banner is actually finished and ready to be hung on Opening Night (always a question mark at BC), it should be a memorable evening at Conte Forum.

-Men's basketball defeats New England foes

I knew last year was probably going to be tough. That's why the games against URI, PC, UMass, NU, et. al. took on special significance - I just wanted to maintain local pride and bragging rights.

No such luck against PC and UMass. Gotta reverse that this year, especially for my first ever hoops road game @ UMass.

-BU loses the Beanpot

Now that I've seen BC win it during my time as a student, I'm less worried about actually bringing the silverware home to Chestnut Hill. Obviously, I want BC to win it. But if Harvard or, even better, Northeastern wins the 'Pot, I'll be very happy.

-Soccer teams to the Sweet 16

Both soccer teams showed great promise last year before fizzing out in the first round of NCAAs. By all indications, both will be back in contention next year. A few NCAA wins will sweeten what promises to be an exciting fall sports season. Which leads, of course, to:

-Football wins at least 8, including ND

I know it's all doom and gloom all the time in the major publications, but I'm high on Chris Crane and I think BC could contend for a berth in the ACC title game.

But since this post is all about modest goals, let's shoot for at least 8-4 and another victory over the Domers. [I know, I know, we have at least two games that are far bigger than the Notre Dame game. But be honest. If we look back at this season as another 8/9 win, Tire Bowl kind of year, wouldn't continued dominance over the Irish make it a little more memorable?]

I think that all of these things can/should happen in the upcoming year. I have loftier hopes, which I will share as the season draws closer.

In the meantime, I will continue to climb the walls, pace, watch Youtube videos, and pass the time until BC sports season finally begins.

I can't wait!

Recapping Freshman Year

In order to get an accurate list of stadiums, sports, and opponents seen, I'm going to look through the schedules from 2006-07 and list the games that I remember attending.

FOOTBALL
vs. Clemson, 9-9-06 (W)
vs. BYU, 9-16-06 (W)
vs. Maine, 9-30-06 (W)
vs. V Tech, 10-12-06 (W)
vs. Buffalo, 10-28-06 (W)
vs. Duke, 11-11-06 (W)

BASEBALL
vs. NC State, 3-30-07 (L)
vs. UNC, 4-7-07, game 1 (L)
vs. UNC, 4-7-07, game 2 (L)
vs. Wake, 4-20-07 (W)
vs. Wake, 4-22-07 (W)
vs. UVA, 5-17-07 (L)

M BASKETBALL
vs. St Francis Xavier, 11-05-06 (W)
vs. UNH, 11-10-06 (W)
vs. Vermont, 11-13-06 (L)
vs. URI, 11-25-06 (W)
vs. Mich St, 11-29-06 (W)
vs. Fairfield, 12-6-06 (W)
vs. Maryland, 12-10-06 (W)
vs. Sacred Heart, 12-17-06 (W)
vs. Duquesne, 12-28-06 (L)
vs. Northeastern, 12-31-06 (W)
vs. Yale, 1-3-07 (W)
vs. UVA, 1-13-07 (W)
vs. Miami, 1-16-07 (W)
vs. FSU, 1-23-07 (W)
vs. Hartford, 1-31-07 (W)
vs. Duke, 2-14-07 (L)
vs. UNC, 2-17-07 (L)
vs. Clemson, 2-24-07 (W)

M HOCKEY
vs. St Thomas, 10-7-06 (W)
vs. Northeastern, 10-10-06 (W)
vs. USA u-18 Team, 10-13-06 (W)
vs. Notre Dame, 10-20-06 (L)
vs. Vermont, 11-4-06 (W)
@ Northeastern, Matthews Arena, 11-17-06 (T)
vs. UNH, 11-22-06 (L)
vs. BU, 12-1-06 (Game suspended due to fog)
@ BU, Agganis Arena, 12-2-06 (W)
@ Northeastern, Matthews Arena, 1-5-07 (L)
vs. Merrimack, 1-10-07 (W)
vs. BU, 1-24-07 (L)
@ BU, Agganis Arena, 1-26-07 (W)
vs. UMass Lowell, 1-27-07 (W)
vs. UMass, 2-2-07 (L)
-Harvard, Beanpot, TD Banknorth Garden (W)
-BU, Beanpot Finals, TD Banknorth Garden (L)
vs. Maine, 2-16-07 (W)
vs. UMass Lowell, 2-22-07 (W)
@ UNH, Whittemore Center, 3-2-07 (W)
vs. Northeastern, HE Quarterfinals, 3-8-07 (W)
vs. Northeastern, HE Quarterfinals, 3-9-07 (W)
-UNH, Hockey East Finals, TD Banknorth Garden, 3-17-07 (W)
-St. Lawrence, NCAA Tournament, Verizon Arena, Manchester, NH, 3-24-07 (W)
-Miami OH, NCAA Tournament, Verizon Arena, Manchester, NH, 3-25-07 (W)

W HOCKEY
vs. Princeton, 10-20-06 (T)
vs. BU, 11-4-06 (W)
@ Providence, Schneider Arena, 12-3-06 (L)
@ Northeastern, Matthews Arena, 12-9-06 (W)
vs. SLU, 1-5-07 (T)
vs. Clarkson, 1-6-07 (W)
vs. Northeastern, 1-9-07 (W)
@ BU, Walter Brown Arena, 1-19-07 (L)
vs. BU, 1-20-07 (W)
vs. Vermont, 1-27-07 (W)
vs. Maine, 1-28-07 (W)
@ UNH, Whittemore Center, 2-3-07 (L)
vs. Harvard, Beanpot, 2-6-07 (W)
vs. UConn, 2-10-07 (L)
vs. BU, Beanpot Final, 2-13-07 (W)
@ Providence, 2-17-07 (W)
vs. Providence, 2-18-07 (W)
vs. Maine, 2-24-07 (W)
-Providence, Hockey East Semifinal, Whittemore Center at UNH, 3-3-07 (L)
@ Dartmouth, NCAA Quarterfinal, Thompson Arena, 3-10-07 (W)
-Minnesota-Duluth, NCAA Frozen Four, 1980 Olympic Arena, Lake Placid, NY, 3-17-07 (L)

M SOCCER
vs. St Peters, 8-31-06 (W)
vs. V Tech, 9-8-06 (W)
vs. St Francis NY, 9-19-06 (W)
vs. Brown, 10-3-06 (L)

W SOCCER
vs. Sacred Heart, 9-6-06 (W)
vs. Brown, 9-15-06 (L)
vs. URI, 9-20-06 (W)
vs. Miami, 10-5-06 (W)

W BASKETBALL
vs. Sacred Heart, 11-12-06 (W)
vs. Delaware, 11-14-06 (W)
vs. UNH, 12-15-06 (W)
vs. Maine, 12-17-06 (W)
vs. Harvard, 12-28-06 (L)
vs. UMass, 12-31-06 (W)
vs. UNC, 2-1-07 (L)
vs. Miami, 2-11-07 (W)
vs. VA Tech, 2-23-07 (L)

W LAX
@ BU, Nickerson Field, 3-28-07 (L)
vs. UVA, 4-21-07 (L)

SOFTBALL
vs. Brown, 4-19-07 (W)
vs. UConn, 4-24-07 (W)
vs. BU, 5-2-07, game 1 (W)
vs. BU, 5-2-07, game 2 (L)