Sept. 4, 2009
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Coach Roberts Previews BU/UConn
BOSTON - Ranked 24th in the NSCAA poll, Boston University men's soccer team (0-0-1) will face its first major test of the season when it visits 12th-ranked Connecticut (1-0-0) on Saturday night for an 8 p.m. start time at Morrone Stadium in Storrs, Conn. The contest will be broadcast live on WTBU Radio and webcast with live streaming video through UConn's Huskies All-Access.
Last year, the Terriers visited then-No. 3 UConn in the teams' first meeting since 2004 and battled the Huskies to a 0-0 draw. In front of a boisterous 2,815 fans, senior keeper Hrafn Davidsson made two key saves in the first half, as UConn outshot BU, 9-2, in the first half.
The momentum swung in the Terriers' direction, as they outshot UConn, 15-5, during the rest of the game. BU had its closet opportunity to score in the second overtime when a cross was sent into the box for a player to head it in. Unfortunately, the header went wide by a foot.
A 2008 NCAA Round of 16 participant, UConn holds a 27-12-2 edge over BU with the Terriers last winning in 2002 at Nickerson Field. However, 25th-year head coach Neil Roberts has a 9-5-1 record against the Huskies, including two NCAA tournament victories.
The Terriers enter the game following a 1-1 tie against in-state rival UMass on Tuesday. Trailing in the middle of the second half, Shaun Taylor scored the equalizer inside the box by redirecting an Aaron O'Neal cross from 30 yards out towards the right post. Hrafn Davdisson made several key saves, including two in the first half that kept the game within reach.
UConn has also only played one game, a 2-0 home victory against St. Peter's on Wednesday. Alan Ponce's header over the goalie's head at 59:13 gave the Huskies the lead, and Kwame Watson-Siriboe added an insurance goal just three minutes later. Kepper Josh Ford, who played in every minute last season, only needed one save to preserve the shutout.
After the conclusion of the two-game road trip, the Terriers host Providence on Monday in the home opener at 7 p.m.
