Often during conference play, two teams with a ton in common will meet up, making conference rivalries among the most exciting. Overlapping recruiting areas, similar schedules and sometimes even shared fan bases can give these games extra flair and storylines.
But when the Boston University men’s soccer team visits University of Vermont today at 3 p.m., it will be nothing like that – it would hard for the two teams to be more different.
Today’s game will be a tale of two teams going in opposite directions: BU (5-6, 1-1 America East) has started to turn its season around of late, winning three of its last four and four of its last six games. On the other side of the ball, Vermont (6-5, 1-1 America East) has lost four of their last five games – and been outdone by an aggregate score of 10-3 in the losses.
Along those lines, it will also be a battle of conflicting home and away records. The Terriers have played better as visitors this season, racking up a 4-2 record away from Nickerson Field, but the Catamounts have an even better record, 4-1, as hosts.
Vermont’s home record might not be an accident. Centennial Field, where the Catamounts play their home games and practice on a regular basis, is a grass field, something many NCAA teams are used to.
The field, according to BU coach Neil Roberts, is not exactly the smoothest in the league.
“It’s a difficult field to play on,” Roberts said. “It’s a tight field, and it’s usually not in the best conditions. The grass itself shouldn’t be a problem, [but it is] a bit bumpy.”
But the no-excuses coach will not let his team use that as a reason for any possible poor play, and said Vermont does not have much of an advantage when it comes to anticipating odd bounces, despite the home team’s familiarity with the conditions.
“You just have to do things a little quicker,” Roberts said. “It’s a matter of preparing, being ready to go, and ready for changes.”
Whether or not their home field is an advantage, the Catamounts have others, including the experience of older players. The Catamounts’ junior and senior classes combine for a total of 11 athletes, while the Terriers have just two juniors and five seniors – and regularly start just four, at the most, of that group of seven.
Vermont’s experienced roster has paid dividends during the first month and a half of the season, as its top three scorers are all seniors. Defenders Yannick Lewis and Joe Losier are tied for the team lead with four goals apiece, and Lewis is tied for second on the team with 20 shots, including eight on goal. Two of Lewis’ goals have been game-winners.
The fact that the offensive Catamount leaders are both defenders is a bit of an oddity, but according to Roberts, it can be attributed to Vermont’s efficiency on set plays.
The third senior in Vermont’s triple threat – and the only one that plays a naturally offensive position – is forward Juan Peralta, who has tallied two goals and four assists.
Each of these players has been more productive than either of the Terriers’ best offensive options, a part of BU’s team that has struggled at finishing on scoring chances. Senior midfielder Stephen Knox (three goals, 18 shots on goal) and freshman forward Dominique Badji (two goals, two assists) lead the Terriers, but Roberts believes more scoring will happen if the team keeps at it.
The result, Roberts expects, will be both teams giving the other a run for its money.
“They’re a good team, they’re playing well,” Roberts said of Vermont. “We have to get consistent at finishing [scoring opportunities]. As long as we continue to get chances the goals will come. It’s just something you have to deal with.”
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