Men’s Soccer: BU & Loyola Battle for First Place

By: Matthew Doherty

BOSTON — The Boston University men’s soccer team will look to continue its hot streak and stay atop of the Patriot League standings when second-place Loyola Maryland comes to Nickerson Field on Saturday.

The Terriers are currently 4-0 in PL play, with all four wins coming by way of shutout.

In their last match, Saturday at Lafayette, BU blanked the Leopards, 2-0, behind two second half goals from Austin D’Anna and Matt McDonnell.

Sitting at 5-6-1 overall, Neil Roberts’ team looks like a completely different unit than the one that started 0-5 without a goal.

The recent success has been spearheaded by the offense, which has received contributions for numerous underclassmen like McDonnell – who has scored in each of the last two games.

BU’s dominant start to the league season went noticed by league officials. On Monday, four Terriers won PL honors.

McDonnell won Player of the Week, while junior TJ Butzke won Midfielder of the Week. Senior captain Adam Sheikali took home Defensive Player of the Week and goalie Michael Bernardi won Goalkeeper of the Week. Sheikali has been the anchor of the backline of defense during their shutout run.

The Terriers will face their toughest challenge of league play yet when Loyola visits. The Greyhounds were the preseason favorites and sit at 3-1 in conference play, with their only loss coming in overtime at Bucknell.

BU has had Patriot League success so far, but Saturday’s match will show just how good this team really is.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4 pm. The women’s team will play the first game of the doubleheader at 1 pm vs. Loyola.