Win or lose, most of the Boston University men’s soccer team’s matches have followed a similar formula, as each of the team’s first four games were decided by a score of 1-0.
While the BU (3-2) defense has been one of the biggest stories of the season — shutting down opposing offenses and allowing just 15 shots on goal — Saturday night’s 2-0 victory against in-state rival University of Massachusetts-Amherst was a huge stepping stone for the Terriers’ offense moving forward.
Prior to Saturday’s tilt, the Terriers have had some trouble reaching the back of the net, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. In its first four games, the team outshot opponents 64-36, with an additional 18 shots coming in its latest matchup against the Minutemen (0-5).
Saturday’s game marked a few offensive firsts for the Terriers in their 2014 campaign. Senior midfielder Jordan Barker’s 29th-minute header goal was the first goal scored by a Terrier in the first half this season – also standing as Barker’s first score of the season.
In the 42nd minute, sophomore midfielder David Asbjornsson’s laser off a free kick that soared over the defender’s wall and under the crossbar marked the first time that the Terriers have scored more than one goal in a game this year. In addition to the goals scored and the plethora of chances that BU generated, it was clear that the Terrier offense was the dominant entity in that game, keeping the ball on the Minutemen’s side of the field for seemingly the entire time.
BU coach Neil Roberts said that despite the promising signs that the Terriers displayed in their contest against the Minutemen, there is room for improvement.
“Unfortunately, we left so many goals on the table,” Roberts said. “For us to be successful in the conference, we can’t do that.”
One of the keys to success for this Terrier offense moving forward this season is senior forward Dominique Badji. Badji has been held goalless so far this season, while putting five of his team-leading 28 shots on net. He had eight shots Sunday against UMass, failing to bury many of them in the net by just a few inches. As a result, there were a few times in the match where Badji’s frustration was clearly visible after just missing the net.
When asked what some of his personal goals are for his senior season, Badji said, shaking his head, “Score,” adding, “I need to score a lot more goals but just to help the team win though. Whatever they need me to do, assists, goals, working hard, working defense. Anything.”
If the season’s first five games are any indication, Badji should be hitting the back of the net in no time, propelling this offense to a higher level, as the Dakar, Senegal, native registered 14 career goals over his first three seasons with the Terriers. Coupled with the brick wall that has been the Terriers’ backfield, things could continue to look promising for the team in its upcoming games.
