WEST POINT, N.Y. – Junior Olivia Avellar’s sensational strike in the 88th minute broke a 2-2 tie and lifted the fourth-seeded Boston University women’s soccer team to a thrilling 3-2 win over second-seeded Army West Point on Wednesday night.

BU (10-8-2, 5-3-1 PL) led 1-0 at halftime thanks to senior Kat Slott’s 11th goal of the season, assisted by Avellar. Army (10-8-1, 7-1-1 PL) responded with two goals just 90 seconds apart to take a 2-1 lead in the 57th minute. Freshman Sam Ryan equalized with a golazo in the 69th minute with sophomore Ariana Schwinn-Clanton providing the assist. That set the stage for Avellar’s heroics. Slott pushed the ball ahead to Avellar, who took the space given to her before unleashing a strike over the keeper’s outstretched hand and into the top left corner.

Army pushed for an equalizer but senior Bridget Carr made the final stop of her nine-save performance to clinch the victory.

BU will head to Annapolis, Maryland, to face top-seeded Navy in the Patriot League championship game on Sunday, Nov. 15.

HOW IT HAPPENED


The Terriers outlasted three Black Knight corner kicks in the first 12 minutes, none of which generated a shot.
In the 16th minute, Bella Conti whipped a shot off the end line towards Carr at the right post, where the keeper deflected the opportunity.
BU got on the board in the 27th minute. Avellar shook off her marker and dished to Slott as the latter entered the box. The senior rocketed a left-footed blast over Karalyn Dail for a 1-0 lead.
Moments before halftime, Carr denied Conti with her fifth save of the night. The Terrier defense snuffed out multiple corner kicks to keep the visitors in front at the break.
Army generated four corner kicks in the second half’s first seven minutes, with Carr making a save on Maddi Woodward after the third chance.
The Black Knights found the equalizer in the 56th minute when Sabrina Rogers gave off to an off-balance Conti, who finished with her left foot to make it 1-1.
Ninety seconds later, after the Terriers had issues clearing a free kick that floated into the box, Rogers drilled a 20-yard shot into the upper-right corner to put Army in front, 2-1.
In the 69th minute, sophomore Arian Schwinn-Clanton operated down central and passed to Ryan to her left. Ryan settled, took three steps and lasered a 30-yard shot off the crossbar and into the upper-right pocket for the 2-2 equalizer.
Woodward placed another shot on net in the 87th minute, but Carr collected the save.
That allowed BU to work in transition, where senior Ciara Kennedy fed Slott. She dished to an open Avellar down central to set up her left-footed strike from just under 30 yards out to deliver the game-winner.

STATS


Army West Point had a 14-9 advantage in shots.
BU only had three shots on target, but all three led to goals.
The Black Knights accrued 15 corner kicks compared to three for the Terriers.
The Terriers were whistled for 11 fouls while Army had four. The foul count was 8-0 against BU in the first half.
BU spent 59 percent of its possession in the Black Knights’ end.
Seven Terriers played the full 90 minutes.

NOTES


With her 11th goal and 29th point of the season, Slott is tied for fifth in BU’s single-season program history in both categories. She is the eighth Terrier ever to reach 11 goals.
Ryan is up to five goals on the year. She has scored in three of her last four matches.
Avellar, finishing with three points, has established new career-highs this year in goals (6), assists (4) and points (16).
Carr made nine saves, a season-high. She has racked up 19 saves in her last three appearances.
BU is undefeated against Army West Point in the Patriot League semifinals, improving to 4-0.
The Terriers are also 13-5-2 all-time against the Black Knights.

UP NEXT


No. 4-seed BU visits No. 1-seed Navy in the Patriot League Championship match on Sunday, Nov. 15. Opening kick is set for 1 p.m.