The Boston University men’s soccer team finishes off a three-game homestand tomorrow night when it hosts Colgate University at Nickerson Field. The Terriers are undefeated (1-0-1) on their current homestand after earning a 4-0 win over the University of Rhode Island Sunday for their first victory of the season as well as a scoreless draw against Brown University Wednesday.
Colgate (3-1-2) is coming off its first loss of the season, a 2-0 defeat at Dartmouth College Sunday. The Red Raiders have outscored their opponents 10-4 on the season, while BU holds a 7-6 edge over its competition.
The Terriers (1-3-2) could be without two of their top forwards for the contest, as sophomore Aaron O’Neal and freshman Stephen Knox both left Wednesday’s game with leg injuries and did not return. O’Neal could not put any pressure on his right leg after getting stepped on by a Brown player, while Knox left the field grabbing his left thigh.
Both were scheduled to be evaluated yesterday, but as of last night there were no updates on their availability for tomorrow night. BU coach Neil Roberts said both were “questionable,” and that the injuries have no effect on how the team is preparing for Colgate. If one or both of them cannot go, Roberts said he expects other players to step in and get the job done.
The Red Raiders, the defending Patriot League champions, are strong on both ends of the field. Their backfield is anchored by senior tri-captains Daniel Kerley and Glenn Volk.
“They’re a very strong defensive team,” Roberts said. “They’re very athletic. It’s difficult to penetrate and break them down. We’re going to have to be quick to get behind them and stretch the field.”
Offensively, Colgate has five players with four or more points. By comparison, the Terriers have just two. Junior midfielder Alex Weekes leads the way with two goals and three assists for seven points followed by sophomore forward Steven Miller (2-2-6).
Junior midfielder Chris Ross and sophomore midfielder Jeff Leach have each recorded two goals, as well. Senior forward Matt Leach, Jeff’s older brother and the team’s third tri-captain, has gotten off to a slow start this season, but he was named to the All-Patriot League First Team last year and is still a dangerous player.
“We have to have good ball possession,” Roberts said. “That’s the best way to slow down a good offense — keeping the ball.”
BU will need its defense to maintain the high level of play it has shown over the last week and a half. Led by goalkeeper Hrafn Davidsson and backs Dan Schultz, Matt Shea and Colin Henry, the Terriers have only allowed one goal in their last four games.
Unfortunately for BU, the offense has been shut out in three of those four games. The team exploded for four goals against URI, only to be shut out by Brown in its next game. Set pieces have been a major problem, as the Terriers have yet to score off a corner or free kick.
Colgate has already faced one of the two teams ranked ahead of BU in the America East preseason coaches’ poll in Binghamton University. The Red Raiders and Bearcats battled to a 1-1 draw Sept. 5.
The Terriers are 2-0-2 all-time against Colgate, but the two programs have not met since 1985, Roberts’ first year at the helm for BU.
