Mijke Roelfsema channeled her inner Ronaldo on Thursday night. In a matchup between Commonwealth Ave. rivals, it was the Dutch sophomore scoring the lone goal of the game on a Sam Coffey corner kick in the 15th minute.
The cross—which was initially cleared to the edge of the box by the Boston University defense—ended up inadvertently bouncing off the chest of Carly Leipzig, and towards Roelfsema. Facing her own goal, the star Boston College women’s soccer defender had to contort her body, twisting every which way in order to get a shot on net.
The result—20 minutes after referees nearly delayed the game because of storm-like conditions—was a beautiful rainbow of a shot over the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Amanda Fay.
#GoalOfTheDay – @BC_WSOC sophomore Mijke Roelfsema scored her first career goal – the #GWG – in a 1-0 win over #BU. #NCAAWSoccer #WeAreBC pic.twitter.com/efOeIrZCPd
— Boston College Women's Soccer (@BC_WSOC) September 7, 2018
The bicycle-like goal was all the Eagles would need in a 1-0 victory.
Notably, the scoring play was the first of Roelfsema’s already impressive career at BC (7-0). Despite making just her second start of the 2018 campaign on Thursday night, the defender has been a key cog for the Eagle defense throughout the team’s undefeated run to start the season, and the rivalry matchup proved she could get it done on offense, too. Although the score wouldn’t tell it, BC dominated the Terriers (1-6) throughout the contest.
Coffey’s corner was one of seven the Eagles took over the course of the game—five in the first half alone—compared to just three for BU. Additionally, another shutout for BC goalie Alexis Bryant has essentially become the norm for the team at this point.
Bryant has not let a single shot get past her since the first game of the season against Quinnipiac. The redshirt senior only had to face four shots in the contest versus the Terriers—with none coming in the first half, proving just how influential the Eagles’ backline has been this season.
The BC offense, meanwhile, has been on a tear. Against BU, the Eagles were able to get a look on net a total of 17 times. Frankly, it was surprising to see the final score as close as it was simply based on the way BC dominated possession time.
Certainly, the Eagles generated more chances in the second half. Kayla Duran received a set piece opportunity from close range in the 57th minute, but put the shot just high over the bar. Just two minutes later, Olivia Vaughn was gifted a shot at net but sent it wide as well.
Interestingly, it was Roelfsema again in the 67th minute with a likely scoring chance. From 22 yards out, she sent a strike toward the corner of the net, but Fay dove to her left just in time to deflect the ball out for another corner.
Alison Foley’s decision to start Roelfsema at midfield the past two games seems to have been the right call. Clearly, she’s been able to produce immediately on the offensive end, while the rest of the roster has been able to hold down the fort on the other.
Should Roelfsema remain in the midfield at the start of conference play, it will truly be seen whether the position will be the homestead for her remaining two and half seasons in Chestnut Hill. The Eagles—who are off to their best start since 2009—have two more non-conference games left in the regular season. Both games take place in the coming week, and at this point it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them enter ACC play without a single blemish in the loss column.
Featured Image by Celine Lim / Heights Editor
