After spending the first two years of his Boston University men’s soccer career in the heart of midfield, junior defender David Asbjornsson has seamlessly slotted into defense for his penultimate season in scarlet and white.
In doing so, Asbjornsson has taken to the right back and center back positions with ease, as he often utilizes his physically imposing 6-foot-3 stature and defensive awareness to limit the other team’s best attacker.
The Reykjavik, Iceland, native’s contributions don’t often appear in the box score, but even the Patriot League recognized this week just how crucial he is to BU (3-1) coach Neil Roberts’ side.
Asbjornsson received the league’s Corvias Defensive Player of the Week award, and, according to Roberts, is a major reason why BU has enjoyed success in the out-of-conference portion of their schedule.
“David has played there in the past and it’s paid off,” Roberts said. “Every game he’s gotten better and better, and played in the center and the outside. To have a versatile guy like him and such a physical guy like him, who is such a physical presence, we’re very fortunate.”
Anthony Viteri takes home Offensive Player of the Week honors
On the offensive side of things, BU has leaned heavily on goal-scoring threat and junior forward Felix De Bona, but another Terrier has been just as crucial.
Sophomore midfielder Anthony Viteri, who is a transfer from St. John’s University, has three goals and one assist on the year.
Most recently, Viteri knocked home a brace against the University of Massachusetts Amherst Sunday and assisted on De Bona’s game-winner against Siena College on Sept. 8.
For those performances, the Patriot League named Viteri its Corvias Offensive Player of the Week, and Roberts had nothing but praise for the Flushing, New York, native in light of that.
“We saw when Anthony came in last winter that he was going to be a very, very key player for us,” Roberts said. “He attacks people, just is running non-stop, and is a person who, whether it’s in training or in a match, there’s nothing left in Anthony.
“He gives you everything there is to give you every day he’s on the field, and that’s impressive,” he added. “You see it in games, but he’s the same way in training and because of that attitude he keeps getting better and better.”
Unheralded T.J. Butzke a vital cog in early season success
Freshman forward T.J. Butzke came to BU with an impressive high school and club background, and has shown his worth in his first few weeks as a Terrier.
He tallied the game-winner in the Terriers’ season-opening 2-1 victory over Fordham University, yet his contributions often fly under the radar.
Whether it’s a 50-yard run upfield in support of the attack or a quick bit of combination play that keeps possession and relieves pressure in and around junior goalkeeper Matt Gilbert, Butzke puts in thankless work every game.
Also, in spite of his 5-foot-7, 150-pound frame, Butzke is not afraid to throw his weight around and defy the stigmas the usually accompany a freshman in collegiate soccer. Through that type of play, Butzke is actively proving just how significant a piece he is for the Terriers.
“T.J. puts a lot of work into the match for sure,” Roberts said. “He goes at people offensively, gets back and tracks defensively, and he just puts in nonstop work out there. That’s all great, especially out of a freshman. He’s doing a great job for us.”
Jonathan's a New Englander who writes about sports, features and politics. He currently covers men's hockey at BU, worked as Sports Editor during the spring 2016 semester and is on the FreeP's Board of Directors. Toss him a follow on Twitter at @jonathansigal.
