Men's Soccer Set to Face Harvard Wednesday Night
September 27, 2011 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 27, 2011
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BOSTON - Before opening the America East schedule this weekend, the Boston University men's soccer team will visit Harvard on Wednesday night at the Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium with action slated to begin at 7 p.m.
The Terriers (2-5-0) and Crimson (2-4-1) have met in each of the last four years with each team winning two games at home. Harvard holds a 23-12-7 advantage in the all-time series dating back to 1951. BU will be seeking its first road win in the rivalry since pulling out a 2-0 victory in the first round of the 1994 NCAA tournament.
Since that contest, the Terriers are 0-7-1 away from home against the Crimson with one game taking place in the 2000 Dartmouth Classic. Last year, BU upset then-No. 20 Harvard, 2-1, behind the efforts of Ben Berube. The 2010 America East Fans' Choice of the Year assisted on Kelvin Madzongwe's goal and then struck in one of his own for the win.
Unfortunately for the Terriers, he has been held scoreless so far this season with just one assist on the stat sheet. After averaging 1.88 goals per game last year, BU currently ranks 181st nationally in scoring offense at 0.71 gpg.
Besides dealing with the absence of preseason All-American midfielder Michael Bustamante due to a season-ending injury, the Terriers have challenged themselves with a difficult non-conference schedule that has featured three ranked teams and another squad that is now currently in the polls. During the two victories, senior Stephen Knox scored two goals in the home opener against Holy Cross, and three freshmen teamed together for the 2-1 win at Massachusetts.
Dominique Badji has provided the offensive spark over the last two weeks with a goal against Seton Hall and two assists against the Minutemen. Knox leads BU in shots on goal with 11, while freshman Cameron Souri is second with seven. He scored the game winner against UMass.
On the defensive end, BU allowed two goals in regulation for the first time this season last Friday at No. 22 Brown, though the Bears added the second score with just three minutes remaining in the pouring rain. Freshman goalkeeper Nick Thomson stopped four shots in the contest, including one off a penalty kick. As a team, the Terriers rank 79th nationally in goals against average at 1.13.
BU will face a Harvard squad that is also struggling offensively with just three goals on the season through seven games. The Crimson has 1-0 wins over Northeastern and UMass (overtime) with one-goal defeats to Rhode Island, Vermont and Stanford. In its last game, Harvard earned a scoreless draw at Santa Clara.
Harvard is led offensively by Brian Rogers, who has scored two goals this season and paces the Crimson with 17 shots and nine shots on goal. Scott Prozeller has also posted a goal this fall.
At net, Austin Harms and Brett Conrad have each started multiple games for Harvard. Harms stands at 2-3 with two shutouts and a 0.79 goals-against average. He has also made 15 saves on the year. Conrad recorded a shutout against Santa Clara and is 0-1-1 with a 0.90 goals-against mark.
Following the contest, the Terriers will conclude the four-game road trip at Hartford on Saturday (Oct. 1) with a 7 p.m. start time.
