After battling the No. 24 Boston University Terriers for a grueling 110-minute, double-overtime game on Tuesday night, the women's soccer team walked off the field pleased with a 0-0 tie to add to their two previous wins of the 2006 season.
The Bears traveled to Nickerson Field in Boston ready to face the challenges posed by such a highly ranked team. Despite trotting out a starting lineup featuring three first-years and two sophomores, the Bears turned in a performance worthy of the outcome.
"It was a great battle and a great test for a young team and a young season," said Head Coach Phil Pincince. "The physicality of the (three) games to date shows that we are willing to deal with any element we come up against, be it weather, field conditions or the other team. We really learn from each game and will continue to grow and get better."
Brown matched the efforts of the Terriers from the start. Both teams traded shots in the first half and ended the period with an equal number of shots on net. Goalkeeper Brenna Hogue '10 continued her impressive play, making one save in the half.
The second half, however, saw the Bears kick it up a notch. Brown out-shot BU 4-1 and dominated play. Standouts Lindsay Cunningham '09 and Kathryn Moos '07 kept the pressure on the Terriers, tallying a combined five shots by the end of the game.
"It was definitely a good test for us, they were a better team than the first two we faced," Moos said. "I think we controlled play in the second half a bit better because we were able to build some confidence as the game went on."
After regulation ended in a 0-0 draw, both teams regrouped and put in another unsuccessful attempt at breaking the draw before heading into a second overtime. Just three minutes into the second extra period, Cunningham managed to find the back of the net. The goal, however, was nullified because of an offsides penalty, and the Bears settled for the tie shortly thereafter. As unsatisfying as a goalless tie can be, the Bears took the game in stride.
"We had our chances in the game, and as much as we could have won it, Boston University could have won it too," Pincince said. "But you always hope to walk away with the 'W.'"
Moos also viewed the tie as a positive result for the rest of the season.
"It's good to know that we can play with one of the top-ranked teams in the country," she said. "We had our opportunities to win the game, we just have to take this and learn from it."
Hogue, meanwhile, continued a hot start to her Brown career, recording her second straight shutout in only her third collegiate game. According to Pincince, Hogue is not the only fresh face on the squad already making an impact on the team.
"We had a meeting during preseason about how young this team was and how much we needed leadership from not only the returning players but all the new ones, and we have gotten great all-around leadership," Pincince said. "The new players are doing just what they are supposed to be doing and they are bringing a lot to the table."
That leadership will prove invaluable as the Bears gear up to host the Brown Classic this weekend at Stevenson Field. The team will face Marist College on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and the University of Minnesota Sunday at noon.
