The Boston University men’s soccer team has had trouble creating offense this season, so perhaps it was fitting that two defenders combined to score the game-winning goal as the Terriers defeated host Harvard University 2-1 Wednesday night.
The Terriers (3-5) have been struggling thus far this season with a tough non-conference schedule, and with the America East Conference schedule coming up, it is important for BU to build some momentum as they prepare for those games.
“We battled well and did some nice things,” said BU head coach Neil Roberts. “Just the fight, was good to see.”
Harvard drew first blood in the first half when forward Zach Wolfenzon headed a ball from Ross Friedman just over freshman goalkeeper Nick Thomson in the 29th minute. The initial cross came as a result of a failed clearance by sophomore defender Kelvin Madzongwe.
Madzongwe redeemed himself not long after.
In the 42nd minute Madzongwe sent a through ball up to junior forward Nick Prunier, which Prunier followed up with a nifty pass to freshman midfielder Cameron Souri for the goal. It was Souri’s second goal of the season, and it tied the game at one apiece entering the half.
“We knew we could play it over top, and that’s what we were trying to do. Nick did a good job of fighting and keeping the ball and not giving it up on it,” said Roberts. “Then he got it out to Cam, and Cam finished it well.”
However, in the 65th minute freshman back Taylor Washington broke the tie, booting in a cross from redshirt freshman defender James Holler. The play was started when senior midfielder Stephen Knox kept the ball from going out-of-bounds and Knox then made a pass back to Holler.
Washington was in position to score the goal because of a mid-game position switch by Roberts. Once Harvard went up 1-0 in the first half, Washington was moved from defender to midfielder and was a consistent member of the attack.
“I like playing forward a lot because I can get the ball in space,” Washington said. “It’s a fun position to play. Getting forward is what I love to do, so if coach puts me there or at back, anywhere, I am always having fun.”
A key part of the game-winning goal was a great play by Knox. While Knox did not show up on the scoresheet Wednesday night, he was an integral part of almost every attack the Terriers created.
“I feel bad for Knoxie, the goals aren’t falling for him right now but he is doing so much for us,” Roberts said. “We need [senior forward] Ben [Berube], and we need Taylor, and we need somebody else to put pressure on teams like Knoxie does. If we can get two other guys putting pressure on like Knoxie does we will be okay.”
The Terriers won the game despite a plethora of injuries throughout their lineup. Freshman forward Dominique Badji as well as senior defender Colin Henry both did not play in the match due to injuries. Berube missed most of the game with a quad injury, despite starting the game at forward.
BU’s next game is their first America East game of the season at the University of Hartford. Roberts expects to have the three injured players back in the lineup by the game on Saturday, a time when the Terriers will try to create their first winning streak of the season.
“I think we bring the focus, the dedication and the heart that we showed today,” Washington said. “We never gave up for the entire ninety minutes, and I know we are all going to go to sleep pretty hard tonight, but I know we are still going to bring it to Hartford and we are going to bring back the win too.”
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