No. 17 Terriers Top No. 16 Northwestern, 2-1, in Season Opener

DURHAM, N.H. - The No. 17 Boston University field hockey team had a successful start to its 2016 season on Friday, earning a hard-fought 2-1 victory over No. 16 Northwestern in the opening round of the Wildcat Classic at Memorial Field on the campus of the University of New Hampshire. Junior Allie Renzi scored her first collegiate goal and added an assist while senior Cammy Jensen turned in a nine-save performance in goal.

THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: #17 Boston University 2, #16 Northwestern 1
Records: BU (1-0), Northwestern (0-1)
Location: Memorial Field – Durham, N.H.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After taking a 1-0 lead into the second half, BU got what would be a huge insurance goal in the 51st minute on a tally by senior Amanda Cassera.
• Northwestern got on the board with 14:24 to play but the Terriers held on late to secure the season-opening win.
• BU overcame a slow start and got on the board in the 14th minute when junior Allie Renzi placed a low shot just inside the left post from the top of the circle on an assist from classmate Kali Shumock. The goal was the first of her collegiate career.
• Renzi, who moved up to the midfield after playing as a back last season, set up Cassera's goal as the senior took the pass and spun around the middle of the circle before firing an elevated shot past Northwestern netminder Lindsay von der Luft, who finished with two saves on the day. 
• Dominique Masters ended BU's shutout bid when she dribbled in from the right side and snuck a high shot past Jensen.

GAME NOTES

• Jensen made five of her saves in the opening half and three of her four stops after halftime came on one Wildcat corner.
• The Terriers were outshot by the Wildcats, 14-6, and Northwestern held a 5-2 edge in corners. 
• Cassara's goal was the 30th of her career, moving her into a tie for seventh all-time at BU with Jacinda MacLeod '13.
• All three of the Terriers' starting backs (Ally Hammel, Jordyn Beesmer, Maika Akroyd) made their BU debut at the position. Hammel scored seven goals as a striker last year during her rookie season.
• Beesmer and freshman Kiley Gallagher made their first collegiate starts. 
• This was the 12th meeting between the two schools and resulted in the Terriers' first win over Northwestern since a 3-0 home win in 2008, ending a three-game skid.

NEXT UP: TITLE GAME ON SUNDAY

• BU will face the winner of Friday's New Hampshire-Massachusetts game in Sunday's championship game of the Wildcat Classic.
• The title match will start at 2 p.m.
• The Terriers opened last season hosting the Tri-Conference Cup with UNH and UMass. BU defeated UNH, 4-3, before dropping a 2-1 contest to the Minutewomen.