Men’s Soccer: Terriers tie the Leopards after a late equalizer
By Tyler Davis
Boston University Men’s Soccer (1-3-7, 1-1-1 PL) tied the Lafayette Leopards (4-4-3, 1-2-1 PL) by a final scoreline of 1-1.
Going into the game, there was an intensity bubbling between the rivals, as it was just last year that the Terriers took the Patriot League title from the Leopards.
“I thought today was a much slower game,” said BU head coach Kevin Nylen in comparison to the Championship game.
The Leopards started the game with the ball, earning a free kick within the 1st minute, but the ball was claimed by goalkeeper Andrew Wike.
Shortly after, there was a cross in the box from Leopards, but there was no one in the box to finish.
The Terriers had an early chance, which converted to the first corner of the game in the 7th minute, with a bicycle kick attempted, though the ball did not go into the net.
Another free kick was awarded to the Leopards in the 8th minute; the ball was launched forward towards the goal, but the Leopards were unable to convert it into a goal.
The Terriers received a free kick in the 13th minute, but it was deflected out of play.
Shortly after, the Terriers won another free kick-off of a handball in the 18th minute. The ball was whipped in the box but was headed over the goal by an opposing defender.
The first shot of the game came from forward Daloma Salami with a blazing shot outside the box in the 21st minute, but it was blocked by goalkeeper Griffin Huff.
The Leopards sprung on the counterattack, but the shot hit the left post, and the ball stayed out of goal in the 27th minute.
Another big chance for the Terriers came in the 29th minute with a cross to the back post, but the ball sailed over the crossbar.
With the Terriers winning another free kick right outside the top of the box in the 39th minute, defender Quin DeLaMater whipped the ball around the Leopards’ wall for the first goal of the game.
The first half winded down with back-and-forth possession and some more uncapitalized chances by the Leopards.
Opening the second half, the Leopards continued to press the Terriers, looking to tie the game.
Shortly after, the Leopards were awarded a free kick in the 49th minute, in addition to a yellow card to defender Ryan Lau.
The second yellow card of the game was given to defender Neal Carlson.
Rushing after a turnover, the Terriers got another opportunity to increase their lead with a cross into the box, but an opposing defender got to it first, clearing any danger outside of the box.
The Terriers were awarded a free kick in the 54th minute and the ball was sent long and out of play.
Another free kick was awarded to the Terriers in the 57th minute and after a questionable challenge from the Terriers, the Leopards were awarded with a free kick.
The Terriers had another promising chance in the 60th minute, with a shot crossing in from the left side, but Huff made the leaping save.
The third yellow card of the game was given to forward Keke Abai in the 61st minute.
Shortly after, Wike made a claim in the air off of a shot.
With the Leopards frantically trying for a goal, they had a shot in the 66th minute that went just wide of the left post.
After the Terriers gained possession back, they sent a long ball up and took a shot, which was saved by Huff. The Terriers attempted a shot on the rebound that went high over the crossbar.
The Terriers got another free kick in the 70th minute, which they sent high, but the ball was claimed by Huff.
With the Terriers charging towards the Leopards with another chance, the ball was sent just wide of the left post in the 72nd minute.
The Leopards tried to answer back with a cross that went just over the crossbar.
A free kick was awarded to the Leopards in the 76th minute that was cleared out of the box, after being sent back in.
Shortly after, a free kick was awarded to the Terriers in the 77th minute. They tried to go long, but the ball was cleared by the Leopard defense.
The Leopards looked for the equalizer off of a corner kick in the 78th minute, but the ball went just high off the crossbar.
The Leopards got another chance within the box in the 80th minute, but it went just high of the crossbar again.
With the Leopards continuing pressure, a shot rang out, but it went off of the Terriers’ crossbar.
The Terriers attempt to answer back with another goal, but they are unsuccessful on the rush, as Huff rushed out of goal to claim the ball.
The Leopards rushed back down the field and shot the ball, but Wike made the save, trying to keep a clean sheet for the Terriers.
With back-and-forth play in the final minutes of the game, the Leopards score an equalizer in the 86th minute. The goal came from forward Roy Biegon.
The fourth yellow card of the game was given to the Leopards.
Coming to a close, the Terriers were unable to answer the Leopards’ goal, leaving the game to a tie.
“It’s a tough one, but you’ve got to take the point in conference and continue to move forward,” said Nylen.
The Terriers will next face Harvard at home on Tuesday, October 8th at 7 p.m.