Aug. 24, 2012

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. - Senior Jacinda McLeod tied the game with a penalty stroke in the 69th minute and then added the winner in overtime to lift the No. 14 Boston University field hockey team to a thrilling 4-3 road win over Delaware in its season opener on Friday evening at Rullo Stadium. Fellow senior Tabi Hatch scored the Terriers' first two goals.

The Blue Hens got on the board first in the fifth minute, but Hatch responded with goals just over four minutes apart to give the visitors a 2-1 halftime lead. Her first came in the ninth minute, when she sent home a shot from the left side to earn a quick equalizer for the Terriers. Towards the end of the 13th minute, Hatch knocked in a rebound to give the Terriers their first lead.

Michaela Patzner scored her second goal of the night to help the Blue Hens draw even at 43:26 then regained the lead at 3-2 on a tally by Nikki Onorato at 50:53.

Looking for a late equalizer, the Terriers drew a stroke with 1:35 left in regulation and McLeod capitalized to send the game into overtime. Hatch had a hand in this goal as well, as her shot was stopped by Delaware goalkeeper Sarah Scher before an infraction led to the stroke call.

In the extra session, McLeod found the back of the cage from 10 yards out following a pass by fellow New Zealand native Ella Gunson, who was making her debut for the Terriers. The winner came at 75:28.

BU, which won its season opener for the fifth time in the last seven years, outshot the Blue Hens, 16-10, and doubled them up in corners, 8-4.

Sophomore Valentina Cerda Eimbcke recorded four saves while Scher made six stops in goal for Delaware.

The Terriers will return to action on Sunday (Aug. 26) when they visit Rutgers for a 1 p.m. contest. The Scarlet Knights pulled off a 3-2 upset of No. 19 Albany on Friday.