Terriers and Wildcats Face Off on Saturday
October 17, 2008 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 17, 2008
BOSTON - The Boston University men's soccer team will look to remain at the top of the America East standings when the Terriers (6-5-2, 3-1 AE) visit New Hampshire (6-3-3, 1-2-1 AE) on Saturday at 1 p.m. Both BU and Hartford sit in first with nine points each.
BU is currently riding a three-game shutout victory streak that began Oct. 8 with a 1-0 win at Stony Brook. Last Saturday, the Terriers defeated Binghamton, 2-0, at Nickerson Field and then followed that performance with a 1-0 victory at Maine on Wednesday. Senior keeper Hrafn Davidsson teamed with junior Joe Cullaro against the Seawolves and earned the solo shutout against the Bearcats and Black Bears.
Junior Shaun Taylor has led the offensive attack with a personal season-best seven goals, including the game-winner against Maine. He is currently tied for third in points with 15 in the America East. Reigning AE rookie of the week Michael Bustamante is second on the team and ninth in the league with nine off two goals and five assists.
On the defensive end, Davidsson currently has a 1.02 goals against average (GAA) along with a .740 save percentage. He and senior Dan Schultz have anchored a backline that has allowed a total of 13 goals in 13 games, which is tied for fourth in the league in goals allowed.
The Wildcats enter the game searching to get back on track after starting the season 5-0-2 with wins over UMass, Memphis, and Rhode Island. Since the Sept. 20 victory over the Minutemen, UNH has gone 1-3-1 with a victory over Maine and losses to Harvard, Albany and Hartford. On Wednesday, the Wildcats and Vermont finished with a scoreless draw.
Chris Banks leads the team in goals with six, while Kyle Urso has a team-leading four assists with three goals. Goalie Colin O'Donnell has started 10 games and has a 0.96 GAA with a .744 save percentage.
The Terriers lead the series, 21-17-8, but have not defeated UNH since a 2-0 road victory in 2004. Last season, the two teams recorded two 0-0 draws at Nickerson Field with the Wildcats advancing to the semifinals of the America East tournament after edging out BU, 4-2, in penalty kicks during the second game.
Following the road trip, the Terriers will next host Vermont on Wednesday (Oct. 22).
