Going into Tuesday night’s contest at Nickerson Field, the Boston University men’s soccer team had not beaten Boston College in their last 10 games, standing at a record of 0-7-3.
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Last season’s fixture was as intense as it was gripping, collectively seeing seven yellow cards and 24 fouls as the crosstown rivals battled back and forth until the final whistle and a 2-2 end result.
This year, the Terriers (1-2-6, 1-0-1 Patriot League) thought they had bettered the Eagles (3-2-4) into the final ten minutes, but the streak now extends to 11 winless meetings as the teams drew 1-1 off a late BC equalizer for the Terriers’ sixth draw of the season.
“Going up one nil and then conceding late. Is it tough? Yeah,” said head coach Kevin Nylen.
Despite the mildly disappointing streaks brought about by this result, Nylen, who is not one to dwell on the past, saw largely positive progress in terms of the team’s fortified effort over the course of the season.
“I thought our commitment from everybody who stepped on the field … was as complete as we’ve had, so that’s a really good sign for our group,” he said.
BU, who was once again on home soil after a two-game road trip, looked more sure on their feet as they frustrated the Eagles’ attempts to set up throughout the first half.
When the visitors did break through, junior goalkeeper Sheraz Saadat stepped into the spotlight in the midst of a bitter rivalry with the utmost confidence for his first collegiate appearance. He made full-extension, diving saves by the tips of his gloves and made a case for himself in Nylen’s rotation in the position, evenly split by graduate Andrew Wike and junior Ben Alexander before Tuesday’s game.
“That’s unbelievable for a guy to come in nine games into the season … hold down the line and be really strong for the team,” Nylen said of his junior keeper.
Thirty-two minutes in, the Eagles nearly had a lead that was called offside, leaving the game in its state of a scoreless stalemate as subs came on for both teams, looking to shake up the scoreboard.
But time and time again, strong blocks and highlight-reel saves from Saadat kept the Eagles blanked, while none of the Terrier offensive attempts came to fruition.
In possession 81 minutes into the game, junior forward Damola Salami made energetic laps down the right flank. In a golden opportunity, he released a sailing strike into the back of the net, picking up the first point of the game for BU.
“Damola [Salami] has been a guy who’s come in this year, and he’s given us valuable minutes,” Nylen said. “I think it’s a good output from him, and I thought he also did well on Saturday at Loyola, so now he can continue to be consistent.”
For five minutes, it seemed as if the Terriers had finally paved a path past the Eagles. That was only until a foul on BU gave the Chestnut Hill team a dangerous free kick and a leveling opportunity, which was successfully finished by BC senior defender Diego Ochoa.
Having only one clean sheet in the opening game against a ranked opponent, the team looks to the second half of the season.
Tonight’s performance between the posts from Sadaat has to be one of the most impressive, saving five of the six shots on target for a 0.833 save percentage.
Returning from injury were junior defender John Roman, who tallied his first minutes of the season, and sophomore midfielder Luke Dunne, who returned for his second appearance after seven games on the sideline this season.
This combination of recoveries with encouraging performances across the roster gives Nylen and his staff the good problem of having options and tough decisions to make. It also provides crucial depth as Patriot League play ramps up.
“We can reflect and say it was a strong, committed performance,” Nylen said. “Really pleased for the guys and the shift and the effort that they put in tonight… and now we move on and focus on Lehigh [University] and conference play.”
The Terriers go back on the road for a Saturday night fixture against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, currently 1-1-0 in the Patriot League. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
