Boston University
3-7-1, 0-3-0PL
Holy Cross
4-5-1, 2-1-0PL
Holy Cross Outlasts Men's Soccer, 1-0
October 9, 2013 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 9, 2013
Box Score | Coach Roberts' postgame comments | Watch Replay on PLN | Highlights
BOSTON - Featuring five defenders in the backline, Holy Cross withstood 21 shot attempts and used a successful counter attack in the 88th minute to defeat the Boston University men's soccer team, 1-0, on Wednesday night at Nickerson Field.
Unable to convert on any of the nine corner kicks, the Terriers fall to 3-7-1 and 0-3 in the Patriot League standings, while the Crusaders improve to 4-5-1 (2-1 PL) behind eight team saves.
BU dominated possession for much of the contest and continued to pressure Holy Cross with a 21-9 lead in shots but was just unable to finish on the opportunities and grab that lead needed to force the Crusaders to be more of an attacking team. Instead, Holy Cross was able to keep men back and wait to counter on a BU mistake.
The Crusaders' opportunity came in the 88th minute when a BU defender fed the ball into the midfield following a goal kick. Holy Cross intercepted the ball and quickly pushed it ahead with Monty Sanders playing it through two Terriers to an open Tommy Uttaro on the left side.
Uttaro rushed down the line and attacked from inside the corner of the box, curling a shot past redshirt freshman goalie Matt Gilbert toward the far post for the game winner.
BU's first big opportunity to score was in the sixth minute when senior Anthony Ciccone placed a free kick into the Crusaders' box. During the scramble near the right post, sophomore Mac McGuire tried to slide the ball while diving with his foot past the keeper but another Holy Cross defender was in position to clear the ball.
Gilbert made his lone save at 34:28 by leaping high to grab a shot from Josh Cintas. Finishing with seven of his own, Kevin Wright stopped one from junior Jordan Barker at 41:50 leading to a corner kick.
Wright got a lucky break seconds later when junior Dominique Badji's header went past him and nailed the post. Junior Parker Powell immediately went for the header and just lifted the rebound over the crossbar.
The Terriers continued to pepper Holy Cross with shots in the second half but were high and wide on many of them despite having the open looks. Searching for his third goal of the season, sophomore Lucas McBride rifled a hard shot toward the far post that forced a diving save from Wright.
After Holy Cross scored at 87:26, BU had its ninth and final corner at 88:00 but was unable to get a shot off. Badji led the Terriers with six shots, including two on goal.
With the loss, BU is now 8-2 all-time against the Crusaders in their first-ever meeting as fellow conference members. The contest also marked the Terriers' first-ever home Patriot League game.
BU will resume the conference schedule at Nickerson Field against Lehigh on Saturday (Oct. 12) at 2 p.m.
Fans will be encouraged to arrive early, as the first 250 will receive a free shirt giveaway. There will also be a student raffle for a 32" HDTV and free Raising Cane's.
Team Stats
Uttaro, Tommy (3)
Assisted By: Sanders, Monty
Shot toward right post from 15 yards ou
87:46
