Ryan Hilburn Scores Game-Winner Over Army

By: Liam O’Brien

BOSTON — Ryan Hilburn couldn’t dream of a better way to finish his career at Nickerson Field.

The senior capped off an electrifying Senior Day with the go-ahead goal with 29.5 seconds remaining to pace the Boston University men’s lacrosse team to an 8-7 victory over Army West Point.

“It’s definitely a special feeling,” Hilburn said. “Lot of great memories on Nickerson and this will just add to it. Wouldn’t want to share it with any other guys.”

Hilburn also scored the tying tally for the Terriers on a man-up opportunity with 3:36 remaining off an assist from junior James Burr, giving him 11 goals on the season and a home finale to remember.

Burr was phenomenal in his own right, scoring four goals to increase his season total to 31.

The win comes at an opportune time for the Terriers, who have just two Patriot League contests remaining on the docket. After falling in their first three conference games, BU has now emerged victorious from two of their last three outings to move into a tie with the Black Knights for sixth place in the league.

The afternoon was headed in the wrong direction for the Terriers after Army jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second quarter with Nate Jones’ 18th goal of the season. However, BU was able to fight back, with James Burr and Hilburn piping in consecutive scores to slice the deficit to 3-2.

The duo of Burr and Hilburn pacing the offense would become a theme as the minutes waned on the game clock. Burr scored his second goal of the game with BU trailing, 6-3, midway through the third quarter.

“The second half started and we got in our groove,” Burr said. “We just looked inside a little more and finish[ed] the ball. Hit a couple pipes.”

After a goal by Connor DeWitt handed the Black Knights a 7-4 advantage with 3:04 to go in the third stanza, Burr and Hilburn took over.

Burr ripped two consecutive goals off of assists from Tristan Ruh and John MacLean to inch BU closer to completing the comeback. After that, Hilburn was granted his curtain call.

“Coach trusted me with my matchup,” Hilburn said of his game-sealing goal. “[Got] a shorty [defending me]. Read the defense, got a dodge, backed out, re-dodged. Good cutters, good motion, just saw an opportunity and took it.”