Amazin’ Aaron

Well if that wasn’t a friendly welcome to October, what is?

After enduring a tumultuous September, in which its gameplay — and in turn, its record — wavered, the Boston University men’s soccer team defeated one of the nation’s top squads last night in its first game of the month.

Just three days after falling to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, BU rebounded by knocking off No. 15 Brown University, 1-0, last night at Stevenson Field in Providence, R.I.

Thanks to forward Aaron O’Neal’s third goal of the season in the 63rd minute, the Terriers (5-4-0) downed the previously undefeated Bears (6-1-1), despite being outshot 10-8.

The Terriers capitalized on an errant Brown cross, and sophomore forward Shaun Taylor found a streaking O’Neal in the middle of the field for the game’s lone tally.

Outflanking the defense, O’Neal found himself one on one with a defender outside the 18-yard box for the second time in the match. Beating his defender in the flat, O’Neal rifled a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Jarrett Leech to put the Terriers up one with 27:58 remaining.

“The backs did a great job of clearing the ball throughout the game,” said BU coach Neil Roberts. “We got one good shot in the second half off a clear. [O’Neal’s shot] nicked the defender and went over the keeper.”

Forced to play an unfamiliar game of keep away, BU maintained all-important possession for the rest of the game, retaining the ball for 18 of the final 28 minutes.

“They did a very good job of possessing,” Roberts said. “It was a lot more like our game against [the University of] Rhode Island [on Sept. 21], where we had our backs to the wall but managed not to give up any opportunities.”

Countering Brown’s desperate crosses, the Terrier defense stood its ground, capitalizing on loose balls and clearing them out of the zone with ease.

With the clears, the defense allowed its midfielders to retain possession. By allowing the defense time to recuperate, BU saw a dramatic difference in the unit’s physical discipline late in the game.

“We really didn’t have any fouls on our half of the field,” Roberts said. “They had some opportunities late, crossing the ball into the box. But we were able to take the ball out and clear it, giving our guys up front the chance to hang onto the ball and get some opportunities of their own. We countered them very well.

“It was a very physical game,” he continued. “They pushed us from the start, but we defended well. The guys kept their composure and managed the game. It was a more even game in the second half and that was big.”

After a season of inconsistency, the Terriers will get another chance to string some wins together when they open conference play against Binghamton University this weekend.

Saturday’s game will mark the fourth consecutive road game for the Terriers, who have posted a 2-1-0 record since knocking off the University of Central Florida, 3-2, at Nickerson Field on Sept. 17.

“[Last night] was a big win for us,” Roberts said. “We battled and played a physical game and held onto the ball. Brown is a very tough team and we were able to counter them. We just need to continue to not give the other team opportunities going forward.”