Women’s Soccer Drops Heartbreaker at No. 1 Boston University in Patriot League Semifinal

Thursday, November 4

Boston, MA

7 PM

Army West Point

7-9-3 (3-4-2PL)

#1 Boston University

11-5-3 (6-1-2PL)

ARMY

Boston University

Women’s Soccer Drops Heartbreaker at No. 1 Boston University in Patriot League Semifinal

November 04, 2021 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

GAME 19
SCORE	No. 1 Boston University 1, No. 6 Army 0
SCORERS	BU - Marli Rajacich (51')
RECORDS	BU - 11-5-3 (6-1-2 PL) Army - 7-9-3 (3-4-2 PL)
LOCATION	Boston, Mass. (Nickerson Field)

BOSTON, Mass. – The Patriot League Semifinal between the sixth-seeded Army West Point women's soccer team and No. 1 Boston University, which had the feel of a championship match, ultimately ended 1-0 in favor of the Terriers on Thursday evening at Nickerson Field.

With the loss, the Black Knights' exciting postseason run, as well as their 2021 campaign, came to a close.

Though Army and Boston University entered the game on opposite ends of the conference's seedings, the action was tight from the start. The Cadets put pressure on the Terriers immediately after kickoff and were able to create a solid chance to score just seven minutes into the game when Trinity Garay got her foot on a ball in the box, but her shot went off the post.

Each team's offense was on the attack early, as BU launched its first shot of the night shortly after Garay's look. The teams went on to trade corner kicks, but the ball was mostly in the Terriers' half of the field for the opening 45 minutes. Though neither side was able to break through in the opening stanza, Army went into the halftime break with a 6-4 edge in shots.

Coming out of the pause, Boston University started to control the game for the first time all night. The Terriers' ability to possess the ball, which they had not been able to do much of in the first half, allowed them to get on the board with a goal in the 51st minute. The strike was scored off a singular touch that a Terrier made on a service into the box and put the home team up 1-0.

Just minutes after the BU goal, Jasmine Talley nearly netted the equalizer but her ball was stopped by the opposing keeper. On the other end of the field, the Terriers went on to earn a corner kick and tried to add to their lead, but the Black Knights' back line shut down it down.

Despite facing a deficit, Army continued to create chances in the scoring third of the field. One of the team's best and final looks of the night occurred in the 78th minute when the team earned a free kick halfway between the edge of the box and the sideline, but the Cadets were unable to cash in.

The Black Knights continued to pound the Terriers' defense and were able to earn one final corner kick as the clock wound down, but the team was ultimately unable to overtake the league's top seed for the lead.

In head coach Tracy Chao's second season at the helm, the team achieved its goal of earning a spot in the Patriot League Championship and upset No. 3 Loyola Maryland in the quarterfinal round. Chao's team will graduate five seniors, all of whom contributed to the success of this year's squad, and will leave an indelible mark on the program.

Inside the Box Score

Only three total shots on-goal were recorded between two of the conference's best offenses.
Trinity Garay led the team with three shots, followed by Dara Murray's two.
Strohman faced 10 shots and finished her night with one save between the sticks.
Army had the advantage in corner kicks at 5-4, while Boston University out-shot its visitors 10-7.
The Black Knights' defense blocked five shots throughout the night.

Coach's Corner
"What a fight from our team. I felt like we gave everything we had to give and while it's hard not to play 'what if', I know that we were in it until the very end. I want tonight to be about thanking our seniors. This is a class that welcomed me with open arms when I arrived here and I will never forget the past eight months that we have spent together. Those players have transformed our program and will leave an unbelievable legacy. That's something that we're going to continue building on. They set a tone that we are fortunate to continue. It always has to end at some point and it's bittersweet, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know them on and off the field. I'm really proud of this team. I thought the fight was there. We had chances and gave the ultimate effort. There's plenty of room to grow and a lot to build on. We are going to keep our heads high." – Head Women's Soccer Coach, Tracy Chao

Cadets' Corner
"It was a hard battle tonight. I think we fought every ball, every minute. It's definitely a tough one to take, but I know that we laid it all out. Our firsties have been amazing leaders, people and soccer players this whole season. They are true examples of what this program stands for and I am really thankful to have had them as teammates. We are going to keep fighting. This team is still hungry. We will be back." – Kaelan Bradley

Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point women's soccer, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_WSoccer and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.