Men’s Soccer: Terriers Leapfrog American with Important Patriot League Victory

By James Garrison

Boston University Men’s Soccer (5-4-6, 3-1-3 PL) welcomed American University (6-5-5, 3-3-2 PL) to Nickerson Field Sunday afternoon for a crucial Patriot League matchup. The Terriers rode a dominant yet patient attack to a late 1-0 victory. 

Sitting just two points behind American in the Patriot League standings, Sunday served as a golden opportunity for the Terriers to gain ground on the second place team. With the victory, the Terriers leapfrogged American into second place overall in the Patriot League. The 12-point Terriers now sit above American, Colgate and Navy. 

“Three points at home against a really good side,” said Terriers Head Coach Kevin Nylen in a postgame interview. “I thought after about the first 15 minutes of the first half we were good for the rest of the way.”

The Terriers came out strong with a dominant first half performance. After taking the first 10 minutes to settle into the match, the Terriers controlled possession in the offensive end for the majority of the half. 

Despite a wide first-half shot margin of 6-0 in BU’s favor, the Terriers were unable to generate a finishing play. The majority of the strong chances that occurred in the box happened in the final 20 minutes of the half. 

The Terriers’ best opportunity of the afternoon came in the second half off of a strong strike off the boot of senior back Ryan Lee, who fired the ball right into American goalkeeper Dominic Dominguez. Only minutes later though, the Terriers finally caught a break. 

With 9:31 remaining in the second half, senior defender Gianluca Arlotti delivered a cross into the box. Although there were no Terriers there to greet the ball, the Terriers still scored their first of the match. 

The cross ricocheted off American sophomore defender Nicholas Shirley and into his own net. Thanks to Shirley’s own-goal, BU would take the 1-0 advantage late in the match. 

“I don’t care how it went in,” Nylen said. “I felt that as we continued to push we could find the back of the net.”

Dominguez kept American in the match with a strong save on Terriers’ junior midfielder Andrew Rent just a few minutes later. 

The Terriers rode out their late lead, defeating American for a massive Patriot League decision. 

With the win, senior goalkeeper Francesco Montali received his seventh clean sheet of the season, supported by a very strong backend from the Terriers. 

“I don’t really think we gave away too much today,” Nylen said. “So really happy for the guys tonight. Big three points.”

The Terriers next take on Lehigh at Nickerson Field on Saturday at 6 p.m. A win will clinch a postseason berth for BU.