The Boston University men’s soccer team so far has played four games in the 2014 season, and in those four games, the Terriers have only been able to find the back of the net twice.
While the collective blood pressure of the Terrier (2-2) faithful has undoubtedly spiked while watching the Terriers play, the team’s defensive effort over these last four games needs to be commended.
Since the season started, BU’s defense has faced only 36 shots, but their defense, led by senior defender Kelvin Madzongwe, has only allowed a third of those shots to get through to the goalkeeper. Even considering the lightened load, senior goalkeeper Nick Thomson has performed efficiently in between the posts.
Thomson has already started more games this season than he appeared in during the entirety of the 2013 campaign and looks prepared to bear the weight of the job for the remainder of the fall. So far this year, Thomson has stopped nine shots for a .818 save percentage in his four games. The Cramlington, England native already has two shutouts on the season, against both Fordham University and Iona College.
With their formidable defense protecting an already solid goalkeeper, the Terriers’ young backfield has kept every contest within reach for the club.
BU’s offense remains listless despite high shot totals
While keeping opponents from scoring is obviously important, you need to score to win. The Terriers have struggled with this facet of the game in their first four matches, but it certainly has not been for lack of trying.
On the season, the Terriers have outshot opponents by a staggering amount. In just four games, they have amassed 64 shots, nearly double that of their opponents. Sunday’s loss against Brown University was the first time this season that the Terriers had fewer shots than their opponents, totaling just eight shots to the Brown Bears’ (1-1) 10.
Opposing defenses have done an exemplary job shutting down BU’s persistent shooters, as only 16 Terrier shots have reached the goalkeeper. Zero of their eight shot attempts against Brown on Sunday were on net. Senior forward Dominique Badji leads the team in shots this season, accounting for nearly a third of the Terriers’ attempts. However, only five of his 20 shots have been on net.
Whether accuracy is the team’s problem or opposing defensives have just been able to read the ball well off the strikers’ feet, a change needs to be made for BU if it is to start converting its multitude of opportunities.
Terriers find scoring opportunities late in games
Similarly, in both games in which the Terriers have scored, the offense took well until the second half before its attack finally paid dividends. In their game against Fordham (1-2), it took them 100 minutes, which included a brief stint in extra time, for junior forward Lucas McBride to reach the back of the net, winning it for the Terriers.
In the following game against Iona (0-2-1), BU’s only goal was struck off the foot of sophomore forward Felix De Bona, but it did not come until the 75th minute.
The Terriers need to start taking smarter shots and need to establish their attack earlier in games in order for their offense to thrive.
BU coach Neil Roberts could not be reached for comment for this story.
