No. 15 Men's Soccer Hosts New Hampshire Wednesday Night
October 6, 2009 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 6, 2009
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BOSTON - After blanking Stony Brook, 3-0, last Saturday in the America East opener to extend its unbeaten streak to five games, the 15th-ranked Boston University men's soccer team continues league play against New Hampshire Wednesday night at Nickerson Field with a 7 p.m. start time. The Terriers (7-2-2) will look to earn their first home victory over the Wildcats (3-5-1) since 2003 after having recorded 0-0 draws in the last three meetings.
The contest will be broadcast live on WTBU Radio and webcast with live streaming video through BU All-Access.
On Saturday, senior co-captain Samuel Appiah tallied two goals within five minutes of each order in the middle of the first half to lead BU past the Seawolves. He was named co-America East Player of the Week and also placed on Soccer America's Team of the Week for his performance in the contest and for also recording a goal and assist during a 3-3 tie at then-No. 23 Brown last Wednesday.
Junior Aaron O'Neal still leads the team in points and goals at 17 and seven, respectively, with Appiah close behind at 11 and four. Both sophomore Colin Henry and freshman Nick Prunier got on board last week by recording their first career goals. In total, they've helped BU outscore opponents, 11-4, during the last five games.
On the defensive end, senior Hrafn Davidsson has five shutouts on the season along with a combined one against Stony Brook that he earned with redshirt-freshman Trevor McManamon. He has a 0.62 goals against average and a .837 save percentage. He had an easy time though against the Seawolves, as the defense stopped SBU from attempting a single shot on goal.
The Wildcats are looking to avoid their first losing streak of the season, having followed so far each loss with a victory. Last Wendesday, UNH fell at Fairfield, 2-1, after earning a 2-0 victory at Bryant. The team previously earned a 0-0 draw against Massachusetts and earned a 2-1 home victory against Colgate.
Chris Banks leads the team offensively with two goals and an assist along with 30 shot attempts. Dyan George is the next closest player with 11 shots. Sean Coleman is the second on the team with one goal and one assists, while Brad Hilton has recorded two assists to lead the squad.
Defensively, Colin O'Donnell has started in eight games, missing two contests, and has a 0.91 GAA along with a .759 GAA. He has two shutouts on the season, including a 2-0 victory at Bryant. The team has only allowed more than one goal two times on the year with the other coming at home against Central Connecticut St., 3-1.
BU leads the all-time series, 22-16-9, in a rivalry that dates back to 1966. Last year, the Terriers trailed early but rebounded with a 34th-minute score by Samuel Appiah and 88th-minute goal by Richy Dorman to pull out the 2-1 road victory. Davidsson had six saves in the contest, while O'Donnell had five.
Following the game, the Terriers enter a difficult stretch to conclude the regular season, as they have to play four of the final five games on the road. The first one starts with Hartford on Saturday at 7 p.m.
