Men’s Soccer: Terriers travel to Albany in search of first win

By: Matt Doherty

BOSTON — Still searching for their first win and first goal of the 2017 season, the Boston University Men’s Soccer team travels to the University of Albany Tuesday night to face off against the Great Danes.

The Terriers (0-3) have dropped their first three matches of the season by a combined nine goals with their most recent defeat coming Friday night against No.14 UMass Lowell. In that contest, two first half goals by the River Hawks doomed BU in a competitive match.

Neil Robert’s team showed improvement in the Lowell game though, and carried it over to Sunday’s exhibition match vs. the Haitian Olympic Team, where the Terriers earned a 2-2 draw at Nickerson Field.

Esen Harris and Eric Mubang each recorded a goal for BU in the tie.

The Terriers lost over 80 percent of their goal scorers from a season ago due to graduation and injury. And while the going has been tough offensively so far, the two goals Sunday could provide momentum for Tuesday’s match.

BU will need all the momentum they can get as they square off against a tough Albany (2-1-0) squad that made the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last fall.

The Great Danes come into Tuesday’s match on a two game win-streak. They lost to Marist, 3-2, in their season opener before knocking off Rhode Island, 4-0, and George Mason, 3-1.

BU opened up their regular season with a 3-0 loss at Rhode Island before the Rams were roughed up at Albany four days later.

Although the Terriers have been unable to find the back of the net through three games, they have outshot their opponents 34-33. However, the problem lies in shots on goal where they have been outshot 19-11.

It will also be interesting to see who Roberts elects to start at goalkeeper. Sophomore Michael Bernardi started the first two contests of the season while freshman William Bonnelyche played all 90 minutes vs. UMass Lowell. Senior keeper Bjorn Kammholz also has seen action this year, playing the entire second half of Sunday’s game against the Haiti National Olympic Team.

BU’s main focus needs to be on both creating opportunities, and finally coming through with a goal on the offensive end in order to break the early skid.

Face-off from Casey Stadium in Albany is scheduled for 7 p.m.