The Boston University men’s soccer team inched one step closer to postseason play on Wednesday night, as it defeated the College of the Holy Cross Crusaders 2-0 at Smith Soccer Stadium in Worcester.
Thanks to goals from senior forward Felix De Bona and junior midfielder Anthony Viteri in his return, the Terriers (6-6-2, 2-3-2 Patriot League) vaulted themselves back into the playoff discussion.
Prior to the matchup with the Crusaders (5-8-3, 1-3-3 Patriot League), the Terriers sat on the outside looking in as the ninth-ranked Patriot League team.
With its triumph over the Crusaders, however, BU moved up three spots in the conference, and now finds itself in seventh place with eight points after winning two of its last three league contests.
Wednesday’s win was also the team’s first of the year away from Nickerson Field.
Though the Crusaders won the shots battle by a 20-14 margin, the Terriers were able to strike first.
In the 18th minute, Viteri dribbled through the Holy Cross defense and sent a low shot into the bottom right corner, past diving Crusader goalkeeper Bobby Hurstak to give the Terriers the early lead.
Viteri missed the team’s past two games, an overtime win and a 1-0 loss, due to a concussion, and his presence was missed. The goal against Holy Cross was the Flushing, New York native’s sixth of the season.
“It’s obviously good to have him back,” BU head coach Neil Roberts said. “He’s not 100 percent yet but he’ll be better going forward. He adds a lot to our attack.”
After fighting off multiple scoring chances by the Crusaders, freshman forward Matt McDonnell’s through ball made its way to De Bona, who sealed the Terriers’ victory at the 83-minute mark.
The Somerville native took one touch, then guided it by Hurstak into the bottom left corner, grabbing his team-leading eighth goal of the season.
McDonnell, assisted on both goals, also tallied two shots on goal in his 69 minutes of play.
“He’s a good player,” Roberts said. “He might be frustrated that he isn’t getting the goals yet, but he’s having a lot of opportunities. Once he stops hitting the keeper he’ll get better results.”
McDonnell still feels that there is room for improvement, but is proud of the fact that he has been able to take on a key role for BU. His eight points are third-best on the team and tops among his class.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve reached my expectations yet but I am definitely happy that I’m producing numbers and can contribute early on for the team,” McDonnell said.
With De Bona and Viteri finding the back of the net through the play of the rookie McDonnell, it’s no surprise that the trio has accounted for 17 of the Terriers’ 20 goals this season.
Senior goalkeeper Matt Gilbert, who was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll last year, had another quality game, as he notched four saves and his third shutout of the season.
The Madison, New Jersey native, owner of a .788 save percentage 1.28 goals-against average, will be a crucial piece of the Terrier’s playoff push.
The Terriers look to keep their season alive when they host the United States Military Academy on Saturday in their penultimate regular season contest.
A win over the Black Knights (8-5-2, 4-2-1 Patriot League), coupled with either a Bucknell University or Lafayette College loss, would propel the Terriers to fifth place in the league standings with 11 points.
The Terriers aren’t worried about that, though. According to Roberts, the main concern is getting points.
“It’s a shame we’re in a fight for the playoffs, but it is what it is. Got to fight to get points now,” Roberts said. “Six points left, and we need all six. Tonight we started playoff soccer.”
