The Boston University men’s soccer team began its season last weekend with two games in sunny, warm California.
While the rest of campus was buzzing with new arrivals, the Terriers were far away from home, playing in the Soccer Town Classic at California State University at Fullerton.
BU, coming off an America East regular season title, and a disappointing loss in the conference tournament to cross-town rival Northeastern University, began Friday evening with a game against the nationally ranked University of California at Los Angeles. The Bruins came into the game ranked No. 13 in the nation, and showed why, defeating the Terriers, 4-1.
After a UCLA penalty shot halfway through the first half, freshman forward Jamie Johnson answered with his first collegiate goal, taking a pass from junior midfielder Andrew Dorman and blasting in an 18-foot shot at the 59:28 mark of the game.
With the game tied and only 30 minutes remaining, the Terriers were unable to score again, and the high-powered UCLA offense went on a tear, scoring three goals over a 10-minute span. UCLA junior midfielder Adolfo Gregorio had a hand in all three second-half goals, scoring two and assisting on the other.
The Terriers were not able to penetrate the Bruins’ defense much of the day as they totaled only two shots, scoring on one. Smith saved five of the nine shots he faced in the Terrier net.
After falling in the tournament opener, the Terriers were relegated to the consolation game Sunday night against host Cal State-Fullerton, while UCLA went on to play Florida International University for the championship.
Neither the Terriers nor the Titans were able to find the back of the net, as the game ended in a 0-0 tie in overtime. Fullerton keeper Sam Reynolds came up huge, saving all seven shots directed at him, including two tough ones in the final minutes to keep the game scoreless. If there’s one face Reynolds will not be sorry to see go, it’s Dorman’s. The junior star led the Terriers, firing six shots at the Fullerton goal. In the other net, Smith was just as impressive, stopping all 10 shots he faced.
After returning home yesterday, the Terriers will have a week to prepare for their next game, their home opener against the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on Friday night at Nickerson Field.
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