CHESTNUT HILL, MA ? Natalie Crutchfield scored two goals to lead No. 13 Boston College to a 5-2 victory over previously unbeaten Toledo in Sunday's contest at Newton Campus Soccer Field. The loss drops the Rockets to 2-1-0 on the season, while the Eagles improve to 4-1-0.
“Today was a bittersweet match,” Toledo Head Coach Brad Evans said. “We showed flashes of what we are capable of, but at the same time, we had lapses defensively that we'll have to improve as we move forward through the non-conference schedule. I thought this was a worthwhile experience for our team to play a nationally-ranked opponent.”
Both of Crutchfield's goals occurred in the final 45 minutes against a UT team that had not given up a tally in the first two matches of the season. The sophomore upped the home team's lead to 4-0 in the 69th minute of play when she was sent in the box on a pass from Caitlin Hiler. Crutchfield calmly placed her shot by a diving sophomore netminder Angela Righeimer.
The Midnight Blue and Gold quickly closed the gap on two tallies in a three-minute span. Junior Heather Wesley scored in the 75th minute, followed by a goal off the foot of sophomore Brittany Hensler at 77:34.
The momentum was on the Rockets side until Crutchfield struck again. BC's speedy forward beat out a Toledo defender for a 50-50 ball, took three dribbles into the box and placed it into the back of the net for a 5-2 lead.
Boston College controlled the first half as the Eagles out shot Toledo, 8-1. The Eagles went up 2-0 in the half on goals by Julia Bouchelle and Stephanie Wirth.
The Eagles' third goal was scored by Brooke Knowlton at 62:07.
Toledo finished the match with seven shots, while Boston College had 16. UT's Righeimer played all 90 minutes between the posts and three saves.
“This was a great learning experience for us,” Hensler said. “They were a nationally-ranked team and were able to find ways to score and keep the match close. We still have a lot to work on and this match showed us some of our weaknesses and what we still have to work on."
The Rockets return to action on Friday, Sept. 12 when they host former Mid-American Conference member Marshall. The opening whistle is slated for 5:00 p.m. from Scott Park.
Boston College 5, TOLEDO 2
BC: J. Bouchelle (C. Hiler), 11:38
BC: S. Wirth (Unassisted), 35:48
BC: B. Knowlton (Unassisted), 62:07
BC: N. Crutchfield (C. Hiler), 69:50
UT: H. Wesley (A. Reynolds), 74:43
UT: B. Hensler (R. White), 77:34
BC: N. Crutchfield (Unassisted), 80:32
SHOTS: UT 7, BC 16
CORNER KICKS: UT 6, BC 2
SAVES: UT 3, BC 4
FOULS: UT 2, BC 4
