Eagles feel right at home in their own nest, oust UConn from NCAA Tournament 2-0

NEWTON, Mass. - Home field will always be an advantage in the world of sports and never more so than in post-season play.

But in the case of the Boston College women’s soccer team, the artificial turf on their home field is so unique that opponents more often than not have trouble adjusting to the footing.

And this faux turf factor no doubt contributed to UConn’s 2-0 loss to the Eagles Sunday [Nov. 15] in an NCAA Tournament second-round game, finishing the season at 11-8-2.

“This is definitely a different surface than we’re used to playing on,” said fifth-year senior Jessica Diakun of Glastonbury.

While Connecticut coach Len Tsantiris blamed the loss on his team’s inability to maintain ball possession in the striking zone, he did say the field turf played a role, as well.

“They [Boston College] have more of a home field advantage than most teams because of their turf; it’s hard to play on because you’re not used to it,” he said.

Only a handful of college playing fields employ this particular type of fake grass.

Tsantiris tried to acclimate the squad by practicing on a similar substance in Glastonbury prior to the tournament. “But it wasn’t enough,” he said.

In the end, unfamiliar field or not, the Huskies were simply dominated by BC, which scored more goals in the first half (one) than UConn had shots on goal (none).

“It was pretty clear we couldn’t keep the ball. Even our routine passes were off,” Tsantiris said.

Capitalizing on UConn’s mistakes

The Eagles scored 32 minutes into the first half, when Natalie Crutchfield fired a shot that found the lower left corner of the net.

They out-shot UConn 9-0 in the first half and 16-4 in the game - UConn’s fewest attempts of the season.

“We fought hard but in the end, that’s what happens,” Diakun said. “They’re a good team and they capitalized on our mistakes.”

And even when the Huskies weren’t making mistakes, BC came up one better.

UConn’s only legitimate shot on goal came early in the second half, when freshman Linda Ruutu sent a crisp pass to Simsbury’s Meghan Cunningham, who headed the ball toward the net, but BC goalkeeper Jillian Mastroianni made a spectacular save to thwart the bid.

Freshman goalie pressed into play

Midway through the second half, the DiMartino sisters teamed up: high-scoring Victoria had her shot rejected by UConn goalie Ally Mancino, but Gina took her sister’s rebound and lobbed it in before the Huskies’ freshman goalkeeper could recover.

Mancino was making only her third start of the season. She was pressed into service for the NCAA Tournament when the season-long starter Jessica Dulski was hospitalized for a severe bout of the flu. She had not recovered sufficiently enough to play in the tournament, according to Tsantiris.

Mancino gave a brilliant effort Friday night in the first-round game, shutting out Boston University 1-0, despite being nervous, which is to be expected by anyone making only their second start of the season in such a meaningful contest.

“I was a little nervous Friday [against BU], a little shaky in the first half,” she said after Sunday’s game.

“But today [against BC] I had more confidence. It seemed more natural out there,” said Mancino, who ended up with six saves against the Eagles.

UConn had previously been undefeated in 12 second-round games in the NCAA Tournament.

Posted Nov. 16, 2009