Monthly Archives: September 2016

Hockey is starting up!

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Sophomore Serena Sommerfield

Sophomore Serena Sommerfield

In the midst of an, at best, uncertain football season, it is refreshing to note that two of BC’s most successful sports teams — men’s and women’s hockey — are about to open their seasons.

The women’s team, ranked #3 in the nation preseason by USCHO.com, plays at Minnesota Duluth this Friday and Saturday. They meet Maine in their home opener in a two-game series the following weekend. (You can see schedule/results of BC teams on our “Sports Schedules/Results” page.) BC split two exhibition games, losing 3-2 to Boston Pride, a professional team in the National Women’s Hockey League that features several BC alumnae on the roster, and beating the Cambridge Rivulettes, a local junior hockey team, 7-1.

The men’s team is ranked #5 in the nation preseason, according to USCHO.com., but was picked to finish 6th in Hockey East by the league coaches. There are obviously differing opinions on how well the Eagles will adjust to the loss of several players to graduation or the pros, including goalie Thatcher Demko, of San Diego. You can find a lot of information on BC hockey (as well as other BC sports) at bcinterruption.com.

BC men’s hockey has an exhibition game this Sunday against Carleton, a Canadian university in Ottawa, at Warrior Ice Arena, the Boston Bruins’ practice facility in Boston. The following weekend, October 7/8, the Eagles play in the Icebreaker Tournament in Denver. They meet the Air Force Academy in the opening round Friday and either Denver or Ohio State in the second round Saturday.

As with most sports, college hockey is showing up more on TV schedules. Several BC men’s hockey games will be televised, including games against Wisconsin on October 14 and 16. Also on the tube(?) will be games against North Dakota December 3 and Notre Dame December 10. Watch for information on San Diego game watches for those and other games.

Small step forward

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Running back Jon Hilliman

Was it an impressive win? Not even Coach Steve Addazio claimed that. BC’s 42-10 victory over Wagner, an FCS team, was what one BC sports commentator called a “purchased win.” Following the Eagles’ 49-0 loss the previous week to Virginia Tech, extending BC’s winless streak in the ACC to 10, a win was a step, in this case a small one, forward.

Announced as 22,728, the attendance at BC’s home opener was the second-lowest on record for the opening game, beating only the approximate 16,000 who came out in “monsoon” conditions in 2006 for the BC-Buffalo game. Somewhat ironically, BC’s next home game is Saturday against said Bulls of Buffalo.

Back to the Wagner game. The Seahawks actually scored first on a 55-yard run by the Wagner quarterback. That run constituted more than 50 percent of Wagner’s total offense — 107 yards — for the day. BC, when it got rolling, amassed 490 yards offense, 300 of them on the ground. Redshirt freshman Devon Jones led the Eagles with 90 yards rushing, with sophomore Jon Hillman adding 83 yards. QB Patrick Towles accounted for 4 BC touchdowns, two rushing and two through the air.

More statistics

 

Major step backward

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After going winless in the ACC last season, there was hope the Eagles could turn that around this year. A close loss to Georgia Tech in the opener and then a win over UMass the next week, ending a nearly year-long victory drought, gave fans some measure of hope. Yesterday’s 49-0 loss to Virginia Tech dashed those hopes.

“It is what it is. . . . [G]uys go out and compete and they make mistakes. They make plays, they make mistakes. It’s part of the learning process. That’s life.”

“It is what it is. . . . [G]uys go out and compete and they make mistakes. They make plays, they make mistakes. It’s part of the learning process. That’s life.” Coach Addazio

There are many measures to how bad the loss was for BC. Worst while in the ACC. Worst while in any conference, Big East or ACC. Worst since a 54-0 loss to Mississippi in 1950. The worst thing about how bad it was is a response of “What does it matter?”

The game continued a 10-game losing streak in the ACC. BC’s offense reverted to its ineffectiveness and the defense, which had performed so well last year and so far this season, spent much too much time and the field and wilted. The Eagles had 6 first downs, VaTech 25. BC gained 124 yards, VaTech 476. The Eagles punted a team record 13 times.

Defensive back John Johnson made a post-game statement some might consider damning: ““I think it got a little redundant. They were running the same plays and gashing us on the same plays.”

Here is a video report of the game. There are no highlights for BC fans.

Saturday is BC’s home opener, against Wagner. Wagner is a college on Staten Island in New York City. The Seahawks are a FCS team that was 1-10 last season. They have started out this year, however, 2-0 with wins over St. Anselm and Concordia. Game time is 10 am PT. Join San Diego Eagles at The Beer Co. for a gamewatch. Odds are good BC will score.

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