While the Boston University men’s soccer team prefers to play a fast-paced possession game, they had to change their style in a 2-1 win over Fairfield University last night at Nickerson field.
In a game that included 45 fouls, the official’s whistle seemed to blow every 30 seconds. As a result, the Terriers had problems maintaining a steady flow throughout the entire game. Even junior Andy Dorman’s game-winning goal came as a result of a Fairfield foul.
“We caught them off guard because we put it down and played it quickly,” said head coach Neil Roberts. “That’s why you don’t like to foul a lot, because it can cost you.”
Even though the Terriers were frustrated by tonight’s slow pace of game, it will help them in the physical America East Conference.
“It was a bit of a battle but I thought it was a good physical game,” Dorman said. “We’re trying to adjust so we can play all types of styles later on in the season when we play our conference games.”
Earlier in the game Dorman came out with a mild head injury but bounced back to score the game-winner with 1:24 remaining.
Sophomore midfielder Federico Bianchi came out of the game in the 64th minute of play after being clipped by a Fairfield player in the Terrier’s defensive end. He did not return to play as a result, but coach Roberts said he believes Bianchi will bounce back for Friday’s match against Dartmouth College.
“We have a lot of guys limping and in a game like this, a lot of guys will be sore,” said Roberts. “Federico said he’s never missed a game yet and he’s not going to start Friday, but you don’t really know until the next day what all the injuries are.”
Freshman Sedrick Chin also came off the field in the last few minutes of the match. Coach Roberts said he would have hoped Chin could go back in, but a knock to his lower leg kept him out down the stretch when the Terriers were looking for the game winner.
“It’s difficult when you’re getting kicked a lot,” said Roberts. “Thirty fouls in a game shouldn’t be anyone’s style and it was one of those games that you just have to pull your stockings a little bit tighter and go to work.”
While there were plenty of fouls and lack of pace, neither team played dirty. BU ended up having to play in Fairfield’s style, which was sloppy because it was their first game of the season.
According to Roberts, the Terriers won’t be seeing a faster-paced game on Friday, as Dartmouth College likes to play the same rough style as Fairfield.
“Friday is going to be pretty much the same thing,” Roberts said.
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