The Seawolves returned from their three game road trip with two big wins, but suffered a tough loss (2-0) to Boston University, the defending conference champions.

Seawolves goalkeeper Marisa Viola started for the first time since suffering a separated shoulder against Hartford on Sept. 28th. Any question of Viola’s health were erased when she recorded 14 saves in the loss. Viola denied the Terriers on all but two of their 16 shots on goal.

“I thought Marisa had an outstanding game, one of the best I’ve seen her play during her career here at SBU,” assistant coach Steve Welham said. “I personally cannot recall in a college soccer game, male or female, when a goalkeeper saved two penalty kicks during the flow of the game. A shoot out is one thing, but to do it twice in 90 minutes is something completely different. Point blank, she produced one of her best games ever.”

Viola currently leads the America East Conference with 94 saves, while averaging nearly eight saves per contest, according to conference statistics. Viola’s 14 saves were also a conference single game high, surpassing the 12 saves she made at Hofstra on Sept 18th.

With road wins in the two prior games before playing B.U, the Seawolves managed to move within one percentage point of Hartford, who is in third place in the conference. The Seawolves will have an opportunity to move up in the standings, as only six of the nine teams make the playoffs.

The Seawolves will finish the final two games of the regular season at home against Maine and Binghamton, who rank fifth and sixth in the conference. Although the playoffs are in sight, the team is preparing for Thursday night’s game against Binghamton.

“Anyone is capable of beating anyone, as some of the results indicate throughout the course of the season,” Welham said. “So we know total concentration and team effort will be paramount in each game as we head into the final home stretch. You always need to respect your opponent and more, respect the game. We expect a battle from Binghamton and we will do everything we can to beat the “other” SUNY in New York.”