Chestnut Hill, Mass.
She had a slightly better view on Saturday afternoon, wearing Boston College warm-ups and a boot on her left foot as her Eagles dismantled Dartmouth, 99-68, at BC’s Conte Forum.
Soule has become an invaluable part of Boston College’s surging program, one that saw a new coaching staff and seven freshmen join the squad in the offseason. The Eagles, with Soule starting at forward, are 11-2 overall, with Atlantic Coast Conference play on the horizon.
And Soule, the 2018 Kimball Union Academy graduate, is having the time of her life.
“It’s been crazy, but crazy in a good way,” Soule said. “Coming in and having seven freshmen on the team, then later finding out that I’d be a starter as an incoming freshman, it was a lot of pressure. The thing about this team is everyone supports everybody.
“This team is unbelievable. It’s so incredible being here; anything I need help with, good or bad days, the team is here. It’s been so fun.”
Soule’s absence was her first of the season for the Eagles. the 5-foot-11 forward has started 12 of 13 games this winter, averaging 7.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Soule had a season-high 16 points and four rebounds in a Nov. 11 win over Saint Peter’s, and has played at least 20 minutes in eight contests.
The workload has left Soule feeling less like a rookie and more like a seasoned veteran.
“It’s not something that always happens: one, to have seven freshmen, and two, to have seven freshmen that don’t feel like freshmen,” she said. “We don’t feel like the little kids on the team. … We know our roles, big and small. We automatically clicked. Even know, I don’t know how we’re all so close.”
She’s impressed BC’s coaching staff with her leadership ability.
“She’s kind of been the heart and soul of our hype,” Boston College’s first year head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee said. “You saw that today, with her on the bench today. She’s fired up. She’s like that even when she’s playing. She’s the most positive, upbeat leaders that I’ve ever seen from a freshmen in my years of coaching. That’s super impressive.
“Beyond the athleticism and all the other things she brings to the table, that’s probably my favorite thing about her.”
Soule was recruited by former BC head coach Erik Johnson after a productive four-year run playing soccer and basketball at KUA. Bernabei-McNamee was hired in April after leading the University at Albany to a 45-20 record over two seasons, guiding the Great Danes to a spot in the 17 NCAA Tournament.
A new coach and a large incoming freshman class of talented playmakers seems to have resulted in a winning formula. Yolanda Griffith, the 48-year-old Basketball Hall of Famer, signed on as an assistant coach. The Eagles have not won 20-plus games since the 2010-11 season and never had a winning season in six seasons under Johnson.
“This group, what I’ve been impressed with, is how well they get along with the returners and vice versa. I think T-Soule was a big part of that bringing everybody together,” she added. “She brings so much to the table defensively because of her athleticism and her length. She can guard anybody. I think she’s a matchup nightmare offensively … She’s been a joy to coach.”
BC’s confidence was on full display against the Big Green, which fell to 6-6 in the loss. Dartmouth hosts Binghamton on Monday before beginning Ivy League play.
“They’re definitely the best team we’ve played on our schedule this year, definitely the deepest,” Dartmouth head coach Belle Koclanes said. “This is the first game we didn’t compete well. … Not happy with our effort. You didn’t see our team out there today after that first quarter. It wasn’t us. We didn’t have the same energy. We weren’t picking each other up. We got stuck in our own way today because everyone was frustrated with the way we were playing.”
Boston College took over in the second quarter, turning a tied score after the first into a 49-30 lead with a 20-0 run over span of 7 minutes and 6 seconds. Dartmouth scored five points in the final minutes of the half, but trailed by 14 points at the break and couldn’t recover.
The Eagles out-scored Dartmouth, 50-33, in the second half, and finished the game with a 45-28 rebound advantage and a 13-5 edge in steals. The points were the most allowed by the Big Green all season.
“When we bring our best effort and we’re executing better, that’s a closer game,” Koclanes said. “We compete at a higher level than what you saw today. That’s most frustrating. Hopefully we’re one and done with that. Hopefully we can drop kick this, learn from it, pull all the lessons out of it … but hopefully we’ll keep it in the past.”
BC’s Emma Guy led all scorers with 23 points, and Georgia Pineau added a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Anna Luce led Dartmouth with 19 points.
For Soule and the Eagles, the real test is just beginning. Boston College opens up its conference schedule on Thursday at home against Georgia Tech. Playing against ACC competition is why Soule chose the program. She’s excited to get her feet wet.
She also still feels a bit of pride for her hometown and how far she’s come.
“I went home for Christmas and I was talking to some of my friends there,” Soule said. “They were like, ‘You’re a kid from Lebanon, New Hampshire.’ Not many kids make it out of here and do the kinds of things that I’m doing. It’s when other people call me out on it, like, ‘You’re kind of doing a big thing,’ I say, ‘I guess.’ I’m just doing what I can.
“For me, I don’t even look at it as a big deal because I’m kind of living it. It’s honestly an honor. How many freshman can say, ‘I play in the ACC and I start?’ It’s an honor to play. Hopefully I can keep that starting spot when I come back.”
Josh Weinreb can be reached at jweinreb@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.