The midpoint of any season offers an ideal opportunity to evaluate a team’s progress. Have the veterans lived up to expectations? Which newcomers have stepped in and assumed prominent roles? Such issues are important, but the most critical question remains: In which direction is the squad headed?
After nearly a month of jogging in place, the Boston University men’s soccer team has pushed forward over the last two weeks, collecting points in each of its last four matches to claim the third-highest point total (5) in America East. Sparked by redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Joe Cullaro’s insertion into the lineup Oct. 10 and steady scoring from sophomores Samuel Appiah and Shaun Taylor, the Terriers (8-5-1, 2-1-1 America East) are starting to justify their No. 2 ranking in the conference’s preseason poll.
But as BU begins the second half of its America East slate against the University of Hartford (6-4-3, 1-1-2) tonight at Al-Marzook Field, coach Neil Roberts is still searching for a consistent rotation.
‘We’ve been juggling the lineup with different people coming in due to injuries,’ Roberts said. ‘We’re trying to hold things together until we can get a couple people back. The good thing is that guys have filled in and done a good job. That’s the positive part about it. Kids are getting their opportunity and making the most of it.’
An intriguing aspect of the Terriers’ recent surge is the minimal production they’ve received from two of last year’s top three scorers, juniors Jin Oh and Petur Sigurdsson. The duo, which has combined for two points during BU’s four-game unbeaten streak, was expected to join fellow junior Neil Hlavaty in supplying scoring for a senior-deprived club. But due to a combination of injuries and position changes, neither Sigurdsson (seven points) nor Oh (four points) has produced on a consistent basis.
‘Pete’s been injured,’ Roberts said of last year’s leading scorer, who will not make the trip to West Hartford, Conn. ‘He’s really never recovered from the groin injury he had, so it’s been a difficult year for him. Every time you think he’s going to get on track he’s had another setback, so it’s been very frustrating for Pete.
‘We’ve been playing Jin in a couple different positions,’ Roberts added. ‘He’s really a front runner, but with the problems we’ve had on the outside he’s been asked to play a little more on the flank than we’ve asked him to in the past. I know he’s not a flank player by trade, but we’re kind of struggling right now and he’s trying to help us out.’
The scoring onus has fallen squarely on Hlavaty (team-best 30 shots) and BU’s promising crop of underclassmen, namely freshman forward Aaron O’Neal (five goals), Taylor (four) and Appiah (three). In two of the Terriers’ last three games, the sophomore tandem’s offensive efforts have played a major role in BU victories. Appiah and Taylor each scored in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Stony Brook University, one week after accomplishing the same feat in the Terriers’ 2-1 victory over Penn State University on Oct. 13.
‘[Sammy’s] coming along,’ Roberts said. ‘We were always hoping that he was going to be an offensive presence for us, and it’s starting to come. He’s done a great job in the center of the field and played a lot of minutes.
‘Shaun is going to be a presence. We need him to hold the ball and make things happen up top for us,’ he added.
The most fascinating development surrounding BU, though, has been Cullaro’s emergence. Since blanking the University of Maine in his first career start two weeks ago, the New York native has provided stability to what had already been a stout defense prior to sophomore Hrafn Davidsson’s leg injury.
With support from Cullaro (3-0-1), the Terrier backs have held opponents to three goals on 37 shots over the last four contests. Such stingy efforts have alleviated pressure on BU’s midfielders and forwards, who no longer need to force the issue on the offensive end and can instead pursue opportunities patiently.
Logic suggests the Hawks won’t blitz BU with much offensive firepower. The Terriers have outscored Hartford, 23-15, and carry a 161-142 advantage in shots heading into a matchup of two teams separated by just one point in the conference standings.
Hawks reserve Andreas Blamo (four goals and 11 points) paces a feeble scoring unit, but standout keeper Matt Glaeser (1.01 goals-against average and .800 save percentage) seems to thrive on compensating for his offense’s ineptitude, posting six shutouts in 13 starts.
‘They have some very talented players and they’re organized defensively,’ Roberts said. ‘They’re in need of points, so it’ll be a good game. Everybody’s fighting for points. It’s really close now with only two weeks left, so it’s pretty amazing.’