Terriers Fall to American 2-0

Friday, November 13

Hamilton, N.Y.

7:00 PM

Boston University

12-5-2

American (PL Semifinals)

14-4-3

American

Boston University

November 13, 2015 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Nov. 13, 2015

Box Score

HAMILTON, N.Y. - Scoring the winning goal just 4:51 into the game, No. 3 seeded American defeated the No. 2 seeded Boston University men's soccer team 2-0, in a Patriot League semifinal contest on Friday night at Colgate's Beyer-Small '76 Field.

After defeating Navy on Nov. 6, the Terriers earned the No. 2 seed and an opening-round bye in the Patriot League Tournament but drew a very hot American team. With Friday’s win, the Eagles are on a ten-game unbeaten streak (8-0-2). American’s last loss was a 1-0 decision at home to the Terriers on Oct. 3.

American got off to a fast start thanks to a free kick. After a foul by BU’s Jeroen Blugh in the corner, Laim Robley’s free kick was headed high into the air. The ball eventually came to rest at the foot of American’s Vinny Barone, who finished off the easy chance for a 1-0 lead.

The Eagles added to their lead in the 39th minute. After a turnover at midfield, junior goaltender Matt Gilbert (2 saves) challenged a pass to American’s Nick Sifrin. The two battled for the ball with Sifrin finally gaining control and feeding Danny Kaiser, who finished into the vacant net for a 2-0 American lead.

BU’s best chance in the first half came at the 12 minute mark on a cross from sophomore Anthony Viteri. Junior Felix De Bona, positioned deep in the box and in traffic, picked the chest-high ball out of the air and sent a rocket above the outstretched arm of American goaltender Dylan Hobert, but the shot sailed above the bar and BU went to the break down 2-0.

The Terriers pressed early in the second half and had a clear edge in play, earning seven corner kicks, but Hobert earned the shutout with four saves, including one great chance in close by De Bona in the 80th minute.

With the win, American (14-4-3, 6-2-2 PL) will face off against No. 4 seed Lehigh (12-5-3, 5-3-2 PL) on Sunday for the Patriot League championship and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The Terriers fell to 12-5-2 and currently sit on the NCAA tournament bubble with an RPI ranking of 31 entering Friday’s match.