Men's Soccer Set to Host Albany Saturday Afternoon
October 19, 2012 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 19, 2012
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BOSTON - In the middle of a three-game homestand, the Boston University men's soccer team will host America East foe Albany on Saturday afternoon at Nickerson Field with action slated to begin at 2 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the first 200 will receive a free t-shirt. Also, the first 20 BU students to check-in at the Lazybones table will receive five pounds of free laundry from Lazybones.
Currently sitting in fifth place in the conference standings, the Terriers (4-7-4, 1-1-2 AE) will have the opportunity to move ahead of the Great Danes (5-9-0, 2-2-0 AE) with a victory. They will also be in position to snap Albany's three-game winning streak.
Playing in the most overtime games since 1999 with seven appearances, the Terriers lead the America East in shots per game at 15.20 even after playing a league-high seven ranked opponents earlier this season. The average increases to 17.00 in conference action, but BU ranks tied-for-seventh after four AE games with just four goals.
Hoping to improve the conversion rate will be last year's AE Rookie of the Year Dominique Badji, who led the team in points with 13 off five goals and three assists in 2011. Over the last six games, he has made his presence felt more on the field with six points after tallying just two through the first nine contests with the goal coming at then-No. 1 North Carolina.
On Tuesday, he rifled a shot from 35 yards out for his third goal of the season and peppered the Crimson's goalkeeper with a barrage of attempts throughout the game. Eight other Terriers have recorded points this season with senior Michael Bustamante leading the way at 10 off three goals and four assists. Sophomore Parker Powell has a team-high four goals, while junior Anthony Ciccone has a team-high six assists.
They will try to provide a cushion for a defense that has been plagued by injuries but still has managed to record three shutouts over the last 11 contests while only allowing multiple goals in regulation on two occasions. Sophomore goalkeeper Nick Thomson entered the week ranked 41st nationally in saves with 56 and has blanked then-No. 10 Boston College, Holy Cross, Adelphi and Vermont this season. He has a 0.725 save percentage and 1.38 goals against average.
BU will face an Albany squad that has been shut out seven times this year but still enters with plenty of confidence having claimed three straight wins over UMBC, New Hampshire and Hartwick. Brandon Wilson leads the offense with three goals and is tied with both Anthony Rozzano and Pomare Te Anau in points with seven apiece.
On the defensive end, Tim Allen has started all 14 games for the Great Danes and owns a 1.57 goals against average and .784 save percentage. His only shutout came at Yale back on Sept. 3.
BU owns a 9-2-2 record in the all-time series between the two teams dating back to 1999 and will be seeking its fourth straight win. Last year, Thomson posted two saves and Badji scored the game-winning goal at Albany in the 67th minute for a 2-1 victory with Ben Berube('12) scoring the first goal and assisting on the second.
Following the game, the Terriers will remain at home and host Binghamton on Wednesday (Oct. 24) at 7 p.m. Prior to the start, they will recognize seniors Michael Bustamante and Max White.
