Men's Soccer Travels to Hofstra Saturday Night
September 21, 2012 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 21, 2012
BOSTON - After claiming a 4-0 victory over future fellow Patriot League member Holy Cross, the Boston University men's soccer team travels to former America East foe Hofstra on Saturday night with action set to begin at 7 p.m.
The Terriers (2-4-2) will look to carry the momentum from their offensive explosion against the Crusaders in which they earned their largest margin of victory over a non-conference opponent since 2008. BU entered the contest with just five goals through the first seven games, though six of the opponents were ranked and the other was coming off an appearance in the second round of the 2011 NCAA tournament.
Senior Michael Bustamante provided the spark in the 29th minute by finishing off a cross from junior Anthony Ciccone for his first game winner since 2008. He then assisted on the fourth goal in the 80th minute to move into t-9th place all-time at BU in career assists with 25.
The Terriers also received a boost from redshirt-freshman Mac McGuire, who recorded his first goal with just 13 seconds remaining in the first half before adding his second at 55:21. With his two-goal performance, he recorded BU's first multi-goal game since Stephen Knox ('12) recorded two against Holy Cross in the 2011 season opener.
Ciccone, who helped on Bustamante's goal and one of McGuire's scores, is tied with McGuire in points at five. He has a team-high three assists, while McGuire and sophomore Parker Powell are tied in goals scored with two apiece.
On the defensive end, sophomore goalie Nick Thomson posted one save in 85 minutes of action for the team's second shutout of the season. Missing 2011 America East Defender of the Year Kelvin Madzongwe and starting freshman back Jeroen Blugh due to injury, the backline became the first this year to blank the Crusaders this year, after they had scored at least one goal in the previous five games.
BU faces a Hofstra squad that sits at 4-2-1 and leads the all-time series, 4-3-1. Leaving the America East after the 2001 season, the Pride has already faced three league teams this year with road wins against Binghamton (3-2) and Albany (2-1) with a 4-1 home loss to Vermont.
Hofstra outshot the Catamounts by an 18-12 margin and has avoided a shutout so far through seven games. Chris Griebsch leads the Pride in points with nine off three goals and three assists. Maid Memic and Tyler Botte also have three goals apiece.
Roberto Pellegrini has started five games at net and holds a 3-1-1 record with a 0.96 goals against average and .722 save percentage. He opened the season with shutouts against Lehigh and St. Francis (N.Y.).
After facing the Pride, the Terriers return home to host America East member Hartford on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m.
