Terrier Men to Begin Patriot League Play at American

By: Akshai Wadhwani        September 22, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –  After concluding a lengthy period of nonconference play with a 1-1 double-extra-time-draw with Princeton on Tuesday, the BU men’s soccer team will finally begin their Patriot League campaign on Saturday afternoon against American University. The fixture mirrors that of the women’s soccer team, who opened their own Patriot League season with a resounding 6-0 victory over the same opponent last Saturday.

The Terriers (1-5-1) are en route to recovery following a dismal start to the season, losing five straight matches while failing to score a single goal. Happily, the drought was brought to an end last weekend, as center back Adam Sheikali scored off a corner to give BU a 1-0 win over Harvard. The signs of life continued in the aforementioned draw with Princeton three days later, in which the Terriers held their own even after losing defender Ben Valek to two yellow cards. The visitors will be hoping to carry that momentum into Saturday’s matchup.

Meanwhile, American (1-6-1) is in the midst of a predicament similar to that from which the Terriers have just emerged; the Eagles have gone five matches without a win, with a form of L-L-D-L-L. Most recently, they fell 3-0 to West Virginia at home; the loss brought their home record to 0-3-1, a statistic the Terriers will look on favorably.

Though the numbers may look kindly on their chances, BU will be without starting center back Valek due to his one-game suspension from being sent off in the Princeton match. Additionally, the availability of senior midfielder David Amirani remains in question after he was stretchered off the pitch in that same match. Ultimately, the Terriers could quite possibly be heading into Saturday’s fixture short-handed.

Kickoff from Reeves Field, in Washington, D.C., will be at 2 P.M.