The Boston University men’s soccer team took the reigns in its game against the College of the Holy Cross and never let go, cruising to a 2-0 finish Wednesday night at Nickerson Field.
This was the first time BU (5-2-1) has faced off against Holy Cross (1-5-0) in the regular season since 1973. The result of that game was a 4-1 blowout victory for the Crusaders.
Senior Richy Dorman and junior Aaron O’Neal, who each had a goal, made sure that was not the case Wednesday. O’Neal’s goal was his fifth in eight games. He leads the team in both goals and points, increasing his total tally to 12.
Dorman’s goal was his first of the season. The senior also recorded the assist on the second goal, providing an offensive spark that the Terriers have been looking for in the last few games.
‘It was lucky,’ Dorman said. ‘It was nice, just good to get the win. It was a sloppy goal, but I guess that doesn’t really matter.’
Senior Hrafn Davidsson had just one save in his fifth shutout of the year. However, the save was an impressive one-handed, diving block of a shot from just in front of the net to preserve the score near the end of the game.
The Terriers showed off an offense that has not made an appearance since it beat Providence College 3-0 on Sept. 7.’ BU out-shot the Crusaders by a huge margin, 27-5, and possessed the ball for most of the game.
The Terriers scored two goals within three minutes of each other in the first half, taking advantage of the Crusaders’ reluctance to counterattack.
The first of those goals came on a well-executed play by the Terriers’ resurgent offense in the 13th minute. Sophomore Michael Bustamante pushed into the penalty box from the right side of the goal, feeding senior Samuel Appiah the ball.
Appiah immediately sent the ball from the center of the box over to O’Neal who fired a shot at point blank range into Crusader senior goalie Thomas Booth. Booth saved the goal attempt but Dorman picked up the rebound and fired one into the back of the net to make the score 1-0.
The Terriers took advantage of a reeling Crusader defense, scoring their second goal in the 16th minute. Freshman Ade Akinsanya got the ball in front of the Crusaders’ net and sent a crossing pass over to O’Neal on the left side. A well-placed header from the junior landed in the back of the net to give the Terriers a two-goal cushion.
‘It was the quickness of play,’ Roberts said. ‘At the beginning of the half we played quick and opened up lanes. When they sit back like that you have to do things quickly.’
Roberts was referencing the Crusaders’ strategy on defense that failed early. Holy Cross played a ‘prevent’ defense with five men in the backfield, trying to deny the Terriers any opportunity to score.
The Crusaders did this to try to slow down an offense that has at times looked unstoppable this season. Even then, Holy Cross could not contain the Terriers at any point in the game.
The Terriers took control down the stretch, keeping the ball in Crusader territory to give their opponent no chance at a comeback.
The Crusaders finally found an opportunity to score as the game came to a close. With a Holy Cross attacker streaking towards the goal, he fired a shot that Davidsson saved with a one-handed, diving block.
BU’s defense went untested for most of the game, as Holy Cross could not put together a sustained attack to give itself a good chance to score.
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