BOSTON – Facing its first of six scheduled in-state rivals, the Boston University men's soccer team fell in the home opener to Boston College, 4-0, on Sunday night at Nickerson Field.
A Round of 32 participant in last year's NCAA tournament, the Eagles demonstrated their offensive prowess with their second-consecutive four-goal performance following Friday's home win over Quinnipiac.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Terriers had a breakaway opportunity in the first 30 seconds of the game, but BC's defenders were able to force a quick attempt from sophomore Matt McDonnell that went wide left.
- Senior David Amirani rifled a high shot from outside the box in the 17th minute, but BC's Jack Bacon was in position to jump up for the save.
- The Eagles took the lead for good in the 21st minute when Callum Johnson's 25-yard strike from 25 yards out found the back of the net on a short pass from Younes Boudadi.
- BC added a second goal at 32:17 when Simon Enstrom found a charging Beto Luna into the box with a through ball that drew sophomore keeper Michael Bernardi off his line ... Luna evaded his defender and sent a centering pass to Nikita Bondar for the empty-net score.
- The Terriers tried to rally at the start of the second half when sophomore Jerry Ozor intercepted a pass and helped bring the ball up the left side on a counter attack, but the Eagles were able to send freshman Austin D'Anna's dangerous cross out of bounds and clear the ensuing corner kick.
- BC put the game away with a successful penalty kick at 59:51 and a fourth score at 68:43.
GAME NOTES
- BC improved to 27-18-8 advantage in the all-time series and scored four goals for the first time since a 4-0 home victory in 2010.
- The Terriers led in corners, 4-1, as Bacon and Chavez Borrelli combined for three saves for the Eagles' second shutout of the season.
- Bernardi had four saves for BU, while McDonnell tallied a game-high seven shot attempts.
NEXT UP: UMASS LOWELL
- The Terriers will hit the road and visit UMass Lowell on Friday (Sept. 1) at 7 p.m.
- BU won the last meeting at home in 2015, 1-0.
- The River Hawks ranked 18th in the United Soccer Coaches' preseason poll after posting a 13-1-2 record last season.