May 2, 2008

Gametracker | Game Notes | Listen Live

After battling to an overtime win to capture its fourth consecutive America East Championship last Sunday, the No. 6/8 Boston University lacrosse team hosts Sacred Heart in an NCAA Play-In Game on Saturday (May 3). The winner of the match-up earns an automatic berth for the national tournament. The opening draw is set for 1:00 p.m.

The Terriers (16-2, 6-0 AE), who are currently ranked fifth in the NCAA Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), are virtually guaranteed their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA tournament. With a nation-best 13-game winning streak also on the line, BU hopes to equal the program's longest streak with a victory Saturday. Heading into the game, the Terriers are tied with Syracuse and Maryland for the second-most wins in the country.

Last weekend, BU edged No. 14 New Hampshire in overtime for the America East crown, winning 9-8. After trailing 4-3 going into halftime, BU came out of the break with all cylinders firing, notching four of the first five goals in the second stanza before the Wildcats tied the game with 3:29 remaining in regulation. Sophomore Traci Landy appeared to have the game-winner locked up for the Terriers with 10 seconds on the clock, but her goal was called back because of an illegal stick call. Landy found her revenge in overtime, though, tallying the first of two Terrier goals during the extra frame while the BU defense held UNH to only one goal.

Landy, Dalton and senior co-captain Lauren Morton spurred on the BU offense with three goals apiece. Dalton also added three assists, while sophomore Xan Weitzel (2) and Morton (1) notched assists as well. Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Klein kept the Wildcats in check, making nine saves in the cage. Junior Kelly Munroe was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player for her stifling defense, collecting four ground balls and causing two turnovers.

Sacred Heart (12-7, 7-1 NEC) earned a spot in the play-in game after handing Quinnipiac a 15-14 loss in exciting fashion. Sophomore Carissa Hauser netted the game winning goal with three seconds on the clock to give the Pioneers their first conference championship ever.

Junior Mary Montesarchio tops Sacred Heart with 58 points on the strength of 38 assists. Junior Amanda Williams leads the team with 45 goals and 38 draw controls, sitting just two points behind Montesarchio, while senior Katie Salamone has collected 36 goals so far this season. Senior Alyssa Harris and freshman Jessica Ingrilli pace the team with 43 ground balls. Sophomore Chelsea Wagner has started all 19 games for the Pioneers this season, earning a 12-7 record while boasting a .521 save percentage and a 9.50 goals against average.

Saturday's match-up marks the first time the Terriers have ever faced Sacred Heart, although the teams shared a pair of opponents. The Pioneers opened their season with a 17-7 loss against a Brown team that BU would defeat 16-4 just a week and a half later. Sacred Heart also faced off against Stony Brook on March 12, playing to an 18-11 loss. The Terriers posted a 19-9 victory over the Seawolves just three days earlier at Nickerson Field.