In 2018, Polley led the Terriers to their second straight Patriot League semifinal appearance. To get there, Polley guided BU to the program's first-ever victory over a top-10 opponent with a thrilling 12-11 victory at No. 10 Bucknell in the Patriot League quarterfinals. The Terriers also earned their first-ever preseason ranking in a national poll prior to the 2018 campaign.

For the second straight season, Polley coached a player to All-America accolades. Freshman Chris Gray, the Patriot League Rookie of the Year, was both a USILA and an Inside Lacrosse All-American in 2018, setting single-season program records in both assists (40) and points (71). Polley also mentored Gray and senior Jack Wilson to All-Patriot League honors.

Polley was named the 2017 Patriot League Coach of the Year after leading the Terriers to their first-ever Patriot League tournament berth. Under Polley's guidance, the Terriers finished the conference schedule with a 5-3 record and concluded the regular season with a 12-5 mark, setting program records for most wins and fewest losses in a season. BU finished the regular season with a top-15 defense nationally and was ranked or received votes in at least one major national poll each week, rising as high as 15th in the Inside Lacrosse media poll. Polley was also recognized as the New England Divsion I Coach of the Year.

Polley coached six different players to All-Patriot League honors, including three first-team selections. Christian Carson-Banister was the league's Goalkeeper of the Year and he joined Cal Dearth as unanimous first-team choices. Dominick Calisto was a first-team defender while Greg Wozniak (LSM), Jack Wilson (A) and Brendan Homire (M) all earned second-team recognition.

The Terriers won a program-record eight games in 2016 and posted their first-ever winning season at 8-7. BU bested its highest-ranked opponent to date, defeating then-No. 14/15 Harvard on the road, 9-8. The Terriers also knocked off then-No. 16 Navy, 10-9, in a thrilling double-overtime victory at Nickerson Field. Polley's squad received its highest-ever national ranking, reaching as high as No. 16 in both the USILA Coaches' Poll and the Cascade/Maverik Inside Lacrosse media poll.