BOSTON — The top-seeded Boston University women’s soccer team took care of business Saturday afternoon.
BU claimed its fourth consecutive America East tournament championship against a youthful University of Maine team that was the first sixth seed to ever reach an AE final, 4-0.
America East Striker of the Year Jessica Luscinski scored a pair of goals and league scoring leader Lisa Kevorkian had a goal and two assists as NCAA Tournament-bound BU, now 16-5, posted its 13th consecutive shutout, the fourth longest shutout streak in NCAA women’s soccer history.
Maine, which started seven freshmen and sophomores, wound up 9-9.
“BU demonstrated why they have such a presence in our conference,” said Maine coach Scott Atherley. “Their performance was superior.”
“We tried our best but they were the better team,” said Maine sophomore goalkeeper Meagan Price-Leibenzeder, who finished with seven saves on 22 shots.
“Our attack hit its stride and our defense was amazing as always,” said junior Luscinski. “It was a very consistent game for us.”
Luscinski opened the scoring 18:25 into the game and Kevorkian expanded the lead 6:35 later.
Kylie Strom cemented the win just 1:54 into the second half and Luscinski added her second.
Luscinski’s 11th goal of the year came off the rebound of a tricky 25-yard Kevorkian half-volley.
“It was a knuckleball. It was floating back and forth so I couldn’t catch it. I just tried to get something on it and it went off my shin pad but, unfortunately, it went right to (Luscinski),” said Price-Leibenzeder.
Maine played significantly better after conceding that goal and had some sustained pressure in the attacking third. Maddie Hill’s menacing 24-yard shot was parried over the bar by BU ‘keeper Kelly King.
But Kevorkian scored her 14th when Corie Halasz’s chest-high cross was dropped by Price-Leibenzeder and she easily tucked it home.
“I’d like to have that one back,” said Price-Leibenzeder.
“If we had scored late in the half, it might have been a different game. But they’re a great team. They deserved it,” said Maine senior midfielder and captain Kelsey Wilson, one of three Maine All-Tourney picks along with senior striker Hannah Breton and junior center back Kaitlyn MacIsaac.
Strom nodded home a highlight-reel goal when Kevorkian headed a cross from Halasz across the goal mouth to her.
“I was in the right spot at the right time,” said Strom, who set up Luscinski’s second goal with a precise cross.
Maine had five shots. King made the only two saves before Alice Binns and Andrea Green played in the second half.