Terriers Shut Out Again at Albany
By Akshai Wadhwani September 6, 2017
ALBANY, NY – The Boston University men’s soccer team was felled 3-0 by SUNY Albany on Tuesday night, making it four straight losses—and four straight shutouts—to start the season.
Still without a goal on the year, the 2017 Terriers are now tied with the 2005 squad for most consecutive matches without scoring. The result also marks UAlbany’s first victory over the Terriers since 2008.
Though BU had most of the possession in the first half, the Great Danes opened the scoring—very much against the run of play—in the 15th minute. UAlbany’s Brynjar Steinborsson sent in a cross from the right, which was missed by Terrier defender Ben Valek and pounced upon by forward Afonso Pinheiro. The Brazilian’s snap shot was saved by BU keeper William Bönnelyche, but fell straight into the path of UAlbany’s Nico Solabarrieta, who whipped the rebound into the bottom left corner of the net.
UAlbany doubled their lead in the 35th minute. After winning the ball in midfield from BU’sSatchel Cortet, the Great Danes’ Steinborsson raced away through the middle before cutting a pass to Pinheiro on the left flank. With the Terrier defenders backing off, the forward darted inside and finessed a shot between the bodies of BU’s Valek and Adam Sheikali and into the bottom right corner. The goal continued Pinheiro’s brilliant form for the Great Danes, as he’s recorded four goals and an assist on the season.
BU’s biggest chance to strike in the first half came in the 27th minute as the Terriers continued to own possession. Cortet sent a free kick in the direction of Sheikali before the center back’s header sailed towards the top right corner. However, Lucas Vallilo, the keeper for the Great Danes, snatched the ball out of the air, inches from the goal line.
Despite controlling possession solidly in the first half, the Terriers found themselves in a two-goal hole after 45 minutes. The deficit only increased.
UAlbany midfielder Carlos Clark beat Sheikali to a bouncing ball at the beginning of the second half, taking a touch off his knee and moving to the edge of the box. Clark then unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot, which went through Terrier midfielder Peter Kargbo and underneath the outstretched right arm of a helpless Bönnelyche, before rippling the back of the net.
Shots on goal in the 67th minute and 87th minute by the Terriers’ T.J. Butzke and Eric Mubang, respectively, were side notes to an otherwise quiet second half for the visitors. UAlbany listed two shots of their own after going ahead by three. Both produced good saves from Bönnelyche, a freshman for the Terriers.
The two teams finished the match with 10 shots apiece; the Terriers posted four of their ten on target, while the Great Danes put six on frame. BU held the hosts to no corners while earning five of their own, but it was UAlbany who capitalized on their chances the most.
One area in which the Terriers showed improvement was cleanliness of defense, something which has been a recurring problem throughout the season. After counting double digit foul totals in their first three matches, BU committed only eight against the Great Danes.
Next Up: The Terriers return to the state of Massachusetts, but will again be on the road as they face UMass Amherst on Saturday at 1 P.M.