Three nationally ranked Boston College programs were in action on Friday, with both men's soccer and field hockey beginning their 2011 campaigns.
Boston College's men's soccer team earned a 3-2 victory over George Mason in both program's season opener. Junior Charlie Rugg picked up where he left off last season, scoring two goals -- one in each half -- including the game-winner in the 89th minute. It was only the third time in Rugg's career that he scored twice.
The 25th ranked Eagles next host Fairfield on Monday, August 29 in a game that has been tentatively moved from Sunday afternoon due to Hurricane Irene.
The 10th ranked women's soccer team held on for a 1-0 win over Rutgers at Newton Soccer Field. Freshman Stephanie McCaffrey scored the only goal of the match, the first of her career, in the 42nd minute. The women improve to 2-0-1 and will next play on Thursday as the Eagles host Syracuse at 7 pm.
BC's third nationally ranked fall program, the No. 14 Boston College field hockey team, opened the season with a 5-1 victory at Vermont. The Eagles overwhelmed the Catamounts, outshooting UVM 27-6 on the day. The Eagles next face the UMass Minutemen up in Vermont.
Finally, though the Eagles volleyball team was defeated by Florida in the 2011 season opener, at least BC played in front of 3,612 fans down in Gainesville, the largest crowd BC has ever played in front of.
Go Eagles!