Men’s Soccer: Terriers look to continue historic dominance over Lafayette

By: Brady Gardner

BOSTON  –  After collecting a midweek Turnpike Trophy victory over College of the Holy Cross, the Boston University men’s soccer team (3-6-2, 2-1-0 Patriot League) returns home on Saturday for another Patriot League contest, this time against Lafayette (4-4-2, 0-2-1 in PL).

Freshman John Siracuse tallied the first goal of his collegiate career earlier this week against the Crusaders, which proved to be the game’s only goal. Despite the Terriers being more than doubled in shots 18-8 on the night, their defense shone in the contest and earned its first clean sheet of the season.

With the squad’s leading scorer Matt McDonnell unavailable due to injury, the Terriers have relied on younger attacking options to provide the scoring. Freshman Kari Petursson and sophomore Austin D’Anna have scored twice on the season.

While the Terriers have been heating up as the season progresses, Lafayette is heading in the opposite direction. The Leopards are winless in their previous four games – though they still possess a superior overall record to BU’s. This Lafayette side does have a knack for gaining three points on the road, with three of their four wins coming away from home.

Leading the line for the visitors will is a junior tandem that has scored seven of the Leopard’s nine goals on the season. Syracuse transfer Chris Gomez has contributed three goals, while his strike partner James Gibson holds the team lead with four. Freshman goalkeeper Alex Sutton has defended the Lafayette net for every minute this season, recording an impressive three shutouts thus far in his first year with the squad.

Historically, BU has taken care of business against Lafayette, winning the last four meetings with their Patriot League foes after losing the sides’ first matchup back in 2013. The Leopards are looking to change the script this time around, and gain their first win in conference competition this season. The Terriers, meanwhile, will be aiming to claim their second win in a row.

The game will be played at BU Nickerson’s Field, with the Saturday matinee kicking off at 3 p.m.