It’s playoff time for the Boston University men’s soccer team, and maybe also time for a little payback. Exactly two weeks after a heartbreaking overtime loss to the University at Albany, the Terriers have a chance not only for payback, but to end Albany’s season outright. At noon tomorrow in Albany, N.Y., it will be time for do-or-die soccer.
“It’s time to put it all on the line, let the players go and take care of business,” said coach Neil Roberts. “This is what you play for.”
When the Great Danes ran onto Nickerson field two weeks ago, they faced a Terrier team that had just knocked off the then-undefeated University of Vermont in a thrilling double-overtime victory, thanks to a clutch goal from sophomore forward Jin Oh. When they walked off, they left the Terriers beaten on their own field, reeling from a stunning overtime goal that came just seconds after a possible game-winner from BU bounced off the crossbar.
“I never look at it as revenge,” Roberts said. “You can never get the last game back. It has very little bearing. It’s a matter of us making the right decisions. Two weeks ago doesn’t really matter.”
This time around the two teams are meeting under very different circumstances. The single-elimination playoff format certainly changes things, but Albany is coming off a three-game losing streak to close out their regular season, while BU takes a two-game winning streak with them to New York.
“I thought we played them pretty well last time,” Roberts said. “We’ve got to finish off chances and go from there. There will be different situations this game, whether it is with the field, the weather … [or] a call from the officials.”
So what it is going to take for the Terriers to have success in the playoffs? Exactly what they have been doing all season long-playing good defense.
“You have to be good defensively, which I like about this group because they’ve been sound defensively, and that’s what we need going into the tournament,” Roberts said.
After struggling to get their offense going for most of conference play-scoring no more than a single goal for ten straight games-the Terriers exploded in their last regular season match against the University of Maine with five goals.
But Roberts isn’t going to say the offensive ship has been suddenly righted.
“Every game is a new season, it’s not about momentum,” Roberts said. “If [BU] thinks we scored five goals and that it’s okay, that’s not true.”
That final game against Maine allowed the Terriers to rest some of their players who have been a little banged up, including junior back Derek Puerta, meaning the Terriers will have all of their personnel available tomorrow with the exception of freshman forward Shaun Taylor, who remains out with a muscle strain.
With a win, the Terriers put themselves into the semifinal round against league champion Binghamton University, whom they beat Sept. 30 1-0.
The Terriers also have the advantage of having the best defender in America East in senior Zach Kirby.
Kirby, along with co-captain goalkeeper Zach Riffett, anchors the second best defense in the conference. BU’s defense has allowed just 0.60 goals per game-good for 13th best in the nation.
Despite the honors given to BU players, Coach Roberts felt some players were overlooked.
“They never get it all right,” Roberts said. “Riffett had a great year. He’s as good as any keeper in the conference. The important thing right now is winning.”