Nov. 3, 2007

BOSTON, Mass. - The second-seeded Boston University women's soccer team will host sixth-seeded Binghamton in an America East Women's Soccer Championship semifinal-round game on Sunday, Nov. 4 at noon. The Terriers enter the contest with a 9-6-3 overall record, while the Bearcats are 3-11-4. Boston University received a first-round bye in the tourney, and Binghamton advanced to the semifinals after upsetting Hartford via penalty kicks on Thursday. The two teams battled to a 1-1 tie, before implementing the tie breaker.

BU is ranked third in the country with a .905 save percentage, 11th in goals-against average (0.53) and 34th in shutout percentage (0.5). Senior netminder Christina Reuter (Madison, Wis.) boasts the third-best save percentage (.901) and 20th-lowest GAA (0.57) in the country.

Sophomore Casey Brown (Natick, Mass.) has anchored a talented and stingy defense, which has shut out nine opponents and six in the conference. In addition to her role as a defensive plug, she has also tallied four goals - two game-winners.

Leading the offense has been junior Marisha Schumacher-Hodge (Pittsburgh, Pa.) with three goals and six assists for 12 points, followed by Brown and freshman Stephanie Croghan (McLean, Va.) with eight points apiece.

BU and Binghamton closed the regular season against each other in a game hosted at Nickerson Field just one week ago. The Terriers earned a share of the regular-season title with UNH with the 2-0 victory over the Bearcats.

AMERICA EAST POSTSEASON HISTORY In 13 years as a varsity program, BU has won five America East Championships, including three of the last six titles, and is 8-4-2 in post-season conference action. Last year, the Terriers were eliminated in the first round in heart-breaking fashion. After battling Maine to a scoreless draw, the Black Bears advanced via penalty kicks, 2-0. Sunday's game will mark the first time the Terriers have faced Binghamton in the postseason.

SERIES HISTORY The rivalry between Boston University and Binghamton began in the 2002 season, when the Bearcats joined the America East Conference. The Terriers own a 5-1 record over Binghamton, with their only loss coming in Vestal, N.Y., 2-1, in overtime in 2004.

Boston University has outscored Binghamton, 10-2, and earned five shutouts. The two teams have played to two overtimes, with each squad claiming one victory.

SCOUTING THE BEARCATS Kim Povill has had a prolific season up top for the Bearcats with four goals and eight assists. She is joined up top by Danielle White (6g, 3a, 15 pts.) and Tricia Reed (4 g, 1a, 9 pts).

Jen McEachron has been the goalkeeper of record for the past five consecutive games. She has earned a 1.37 GAA and .800 save percentage. Erin Iman has also seen significant time in net for the Beacats, amassing a 1.80 GAA and .730 save percentage.

Binghamton has earned wins over UMBC, Vermont and New Jersey Institute of Technology. It has also forced five overtime games this season, and went 0-1-4 in those contests.

The Bearcats have now made four appearances in the AE tourney (2004, 05, 06, 07) and claimed the title in 2004. Last year, they fell to UNH via penalty kicks in the quarterfinals.

TERRIERS' SET PIECES The Terriers have been dangerous all season long on their set pieces. Whether it is a corner kick or a free kick, BU has put itself in a position to score each time.

Junior Marisha Schumacher-Hodge has been BU's corner kick specialist and has been a threat with her long passes and accuracy from the corner flag. She has assisted on three goals off her corner kicks, connecting with sophomore Casey Brown each time (Albany, Oct. 4; Maine, Oct. 11; Binghamton, Oct. 28) and netted an unassisted goal of her own off a restart outside the 18-yard box against Binghamton on Oct. 28.

Sophomore Mara Osher stepped in to take over the corner kicks duties for Schumacher-Hodge on Oct. 21 at Stony Brook and recorded two assists from the corner flag to help lead the Terriers to the 3-0 victory.

Freshman Lina Cords has also provided heroics off set pieces, recording the game-winning assist against Princeton.

SUCCESS IN THE AMERICA EAST Under the guidance of 12th-year head coach Nancy Feldman, the Terriers have amassed a 79-17-8 record in the conference for a 75.9 winning percentage.

Over the past three seasons, BU has lost only two conference games, earning a combined record of 19-2-3. Its only losses came at the hands of Hartford.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Christina Reuter (Sr., GK, Madison, Wis.) Reuter is this year's America East Goalkeeper of the Year and a first-team honoree following a standout regular season. In net she amassed four shutouts, a 0.57 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. She flourished in the conference season with a stingy 0.25 GAA and a .951 save percentage, good for second in the league in both categories. She currently ranks third nationally in save percentage and 20th in GAA.

Casey Brown (So., B, Natick, Mass.) Brown anchored a solid back line that shutout nine opponents in 2007 - six in league play - and allowed just two goals during the conference slate. She earned Defender of the Year in the conference and first-team accolades. In addition, Brown provided clutch goals for the Terriers, scoring a team-leading four goals and two game-winners.

Marisha Schumacher-Hodge (Jr., M, Pittsburgh, Pa.) Schumacher-Hodge, the 2006 AE Midfielder of the Year, returned to the all-conference first team for the second year in a row. The Terriers' corner kick specialist and playmaker amassed three goals and six assists in 2007 to lead the squad in points (12). She scored the game winner against UMBC on Oct. 14 and recorded four multiple-point games. Her highest single-game point total came at Albany on Oct. 4, when she scored one goal and dished out two assists. Schumacher-Hodge was named to the preseason MAC Hermann Trophy watch list, the most prestigious honor in collegiate soccer.

Emily Pallotta (So., M, Andover, Mass.) Pallotta patrolled the outside flanks all year, starting in every contest. She scored three goals and added an assist, picking up game-winners against Princeton on Sept. 2 and Stony Brook on Oct. 21. For her efforts, Pallotta was named to the all-conference first team.

Farrell McClernon (Fr., F, West Chester, Pa.) McClernon made her second appearance on the all-conference second team this year. The sophomore forward netted two goals, added three assists and led the team with 38 shots.

Lina Cords (Fr., B, Leonardtown, Md.) Cords was a defensive plug on the backline all season and is the only freshman to start every contest this year. She earned her first collegiate point in the second game of the season, assisting on the game-winning goal against Princeton. Cords has taken the majority of the Terriers restarts because of her accuracy and range on free kicks.

Stephanie Croghan (Fr., F, McLean, Va.) Croghan is tied for the team lead in goals (4) with Brown. She started the season as a contributor off the bench and has increased her minutes as the year has gone on, earning the start against UMBC on Oct. 14 and Stony Brook on Oct. 21.