The Boston University men’s soccer team ended two losing streaks Tuesday night in a tense 3-2 victory for the Terriers: one over Harvard University, their first win against the Crimson since 2019, and one at Jordan Field, the first since 2011.

Though the Terriers (6-3, 2-1 Patriot League) spent the first few minutes in their own half and defending the first corner of the game, the Harvard (3-3-2, 0-1 Ivy) attempt was easy for senior goalkeeper Sheraz Saadat to handle, and soon enough they were upfield.

BU freshman defender Austin Mobray, starting against his twin brother and Crimson defender Maxwell’s team, drew the first foul for a free kick in the 11th minute. 

Breaking into the six-yard box by the far post, senior defender Quin DeLaMater got his foot on the curling delivery from junior forward Lapo Romieri to secure the fourth goal of his career and his third from a set play.

“[Set plays are] something our group, since the spring, has looked at from an attacking standpoint,” Head Coach Kevin Nylen said. “We’ve talked more and more about service and variations, and those are moments of added offense. It’s been really important for our group.”

The final BU chances of the half had potential, with freshman midfielder Sebastian Otero taking on Harvard goalkeeper Lucian Wood. Otero fired off the shot just wide, and senior midfielder Diego Rived’s 42nd minute shot was a bullet — but straight to Wood. 

This would be the fourth game in a row in which the Terriers would have a one-goal lead to defend into the second half.

Harvard recorded the first two shots of the second half, and the Terriers responded with junior forward Keke Abai going around a trio of Crimson players and drawing a foul. The ensuing free kick from sophomore midfielder Pharis Petrica sailed high with an impressive bend.

The narrow lead looked increasingly threatened as the second half went on. A key clearance from DeLaMater with Harvard players bearing down on Saadat was one of many pulse-raising moments. Another came when Crimson forward Ben Kelly gained possession in front of the goal and rippled the net, but he was offside, allowing BU to hold onto the lead.

Just as he did to get on the board against Bucknell over the weekend, Petrica tried to go long with a little over 20 minutes left, but Wood was just tall enough to deal with it and keep Harvard within one.

After a Harvard attempt deflected off the right post to be taken again — this time saved by Saadat — BU got a pair of back-to-back shots of their own.

It became increasingly apparent the Terriers would need insurance. A round of it came as DeLaMater sent a long ball for sophomore forward Dylan Williams who then directed it to senior midfielder Ethan Gill, who then touched, turned and dealt with a couple defenders to unleash a strike that doubled the lead.

That would be the second goal in two games for the transfer from Holy Cross, and just like over the weekend, this one would prove crucial.

Harvard, with all the pressure they were putting on the Terrier defense for the length of the second half, got on the board, after midfielder Shane Lonergan and Kelly assisted forward Andreas Savva.

In the 82nd minute, the Crimson scored the equalizer off a short-taken corner, where —  after gaining possession — Harvard defender Alejandro Palacio maneuvered around three Terrier defenders to then get the shot past Saadat.

Nylen said the Crimson “switched how they were playing” and “pinned” the Terriers in. 

“We put ourselves in tough positions at times, which allowed them to regain possession in higher points,” Nylen said. “It’s a combination, but they had a really good second half, and it created problems for us.”

Despite the late-game woes, another BU free kick opportunity landed in the 84th minute. Petrica sent the ball into the six-yard box, DeLaMater headed the ball to senior defender Aidan Kieffer finished. The game-winning assist gave DeLaMater his first-career three-point game as well.

“Another 90 by Quin,” said Nylen. “He’s a big target and has scored on those before, but it was nice for him to get his first one of the season tonight.”

The moment provided some release of the ever-building tension and the increasing pressure from Harvard, as the entire Terrier squad celebrated in a huddle around the corner flag nearest to their bench.

As BU has seen though, games can change in their final minutes — and this one nearly did. 

Harvard’s Savva orchestrated a well-placed set piece opportunity in the final four minutes, but Saadat cradled the ball once it came to him. The tension that had been released in one way on the other side of the field bubbled to a confrontational head by the Terrier goal as a result of the play, and pushes and verbal jabs were exchanged. 

With that incident extinguished and just one more shot from Harvard, the game finally wound to its end. The Terriers scraped a result together despite the uneasy second half.

“Now [we] have to shift our attention back to a really good opponent in conference play,” Nylen said. “The confidence of being back at home will hopefully give the guys a little spark and a little more energy… after a three-game swing on the road.”

Patriot League standings are at stake as the Terriers return to Nickerson Field on Sunday to take on Loyola Maryland, against whom they have a three-game unbeaten streak.