The Boston University men’s soccer team looks to win its fourth straight game and seventh straight at home when it hosts West Virginia University on Sunday at Nickerson Field.
The Terriers (7-3-1, 2-0-0 America East) hope to increase their claim for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament with another non-conference win. The Mountaineers (3-7-1, 0-4-1 Big East) come into the match after struggling for the past few weeks.
BU boasts three straight wins and two shutouts in its past three matches. The Terriers notched a 2-1 victory in a tough non-conference match up against No. 12 University of San Diego last Friday night. The Terriers have been solid in non-conference play, boasting two wins against top-15 teams.
West Virginia will take on Providence College only 24 hours before playing the Terriers, and may show signs of fatigue during Sunday’s game against BU. The Terriers, however, have three days off coming into the match, having crushed the University of Maine, 3-0, this past Wednesday.
The Mountaineers will have a tough time topping the offensive-minded Terriers, as they have scored just two goals in their last three outings, including a 2-1 loss against Syracuse University last Saturday. The lone goal for the Mountaineers came in the 72nd minute of play off a blistering ball from 40 yards out by West Virginia defenseman Matt Mahar. Prior to the Syracuse game, the Mountaineers played to a scoreless tie with the University of Pittsburgh. They last won on Sept. 25 against Robert Morris College, 1-0.
The Terriers, on the other hand, have recently shown a hunger in front of the net, scoring eight goals in their last three outings. The rapid increase of goals by BU is partially a result of Coach Neil Roberts adding another attacker to the offensive line. It is something he said has increased production, but will not be used permanently.
BU and West Virginia have a few common opponents this season. On Sept. 21, Boston College defeated the Mountaineers, 2-1, as it did the Terriers just four days later. West Virginia also faced No. 7 University of Connecticut on Sept. 14 and lost, 2-0. The Huskies were then dropped just three days later by the Terriers, whose 1-0 upset win thrust them to the No. 9 ranking.
The Mountaineers will have a hard time fighting through the stingy Terrier defense, as well as the solid goalkeeping of America East Co-Player of the Week, senior Matt Smith. Smith recorded his fifth shutout in Wednesday’s game against the Black Bears, and has been one constant all season for Roberts.
West Virginia will also have to deal with the artificial turf of Nickerson Field, on which the Terriers have not lost this season, winning six straight games. BU is 11-1-1 at home, dating back to the beginning of last season.
The tough non-conference matches are integral to BU’s hopes of getting an NCAA Tournament bid without having to rely on the automatic bid awarded to the winner of the America East Conference Tournament. With the toughest schedule in team history, the Terriers have not backed down, going 5-3-1 against non-conference opponents this season.
While the Mountaineers have struggled to score goals and win games in their last few outings, the game will still be a tough battle. West Virginia has proven to be a physical team, tallying 19 fouls in their last outing versus Syracuse.
The Terriers will see nothing but conference opponents after Sunday’s game, with only six games remaining before the America East Tournament.