Men's Soccer to Host UMBC Saturday Afternoon
October 7, 2011 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 7, 2011
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BOSTON - Resuming its America East schedule, the Boston University men's soccer team looks to continue its winning ways when it welcomes UMBC to Nickerson Field on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, as the first 200 will receive a free drawstring backpack on Sportsmanship Day. There will be free admission for community groups and youth teams that register in advance by e-mailing lpare@bu.edu.
BU will host a meet-and-greet with student-athletes for the groups prior to the game with free food and discussion on sportsmanship. There will also be a postgame autograph session.
The Terriers (5-5-0, 1-0 AE) are red hot, having won four of their last five contests, including a 1-0 nailbiter on Tuesday against Providence in which senior Stephen Knox scored the game winner in the 88th minute. The Retrievers (4-3-3, 1-0 AE) are just 1-2 away from home and have won only two of their last seven.
BU is 4-3-1 all-time against the Retrievers since the two teams first met in 2003 and are 3-1-1 in their last five contests. UMBC is 2-2, however, at Nickerson Field. Saturday's contest will mark a match-up between the defending America East regular season and conference tournament champions. The Terriers pulled out a 2-0 win on the Fox Soccer Channel at UMBC but fell to UNH in overtime during the semifinals.
Leading the Terriers on offense this season has been Knox, who scored his team-leading third goal in the last game against Providence. Knox also leads the Terriers with 28 shots and two-game winning goals.
On the back end, reigning America East rookie of the week Nick Thomson has continued to grow at the goalkeeper position, allowing just one goal in his last three games and posting two shutouts. The defense has been strong as well, allowing just seven shots on goal in those three games.
The Retrievers are in a bit of a lull after starting the year 2-0-2. In the fifth game, they fell to then-No. 1 Maryland, 4-3, in double overtime. Since that devastating loss, they have gone 2-2-1. UMBC is currently on a two-game unbeaten streak with a 2-1 win over Albany and 0-0 draw against Bucknell.
Sophomore Pete Caringi has been the go-to guy for UMBC this year, recording three goals and three assists for a team-high nine points. Senior Andrew Bulls has two goals, both game winners, and a conference-high 43 shots. In net, senior Dan Louisignau has a 1.06 goals against average and a .828 save percentage.
After Saturday's contest, the Terriers continue their march through the America East, when they travel up to Burlington, Vt. to take on the Catamounts on Wednesday (Oct. 12). Game time is set for 2 p.m.
