Nov. 2, 2013
Box Score
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After its lead was cut in half by junior Dominique Badji in the 71st minute, American added an insurance score to defeat the visiting Boston University men's soccer team, 3-1, on Saturday afternoon at Reeves Field.
With the loss in the first-ever meeting between the two programs, the Terriers drop to 6-9-1 and 3-5-0 in conference action, while the Eagles improve to 5-7-5 (3-3-2 PL).
American got on the board with the first shot of the game at 6:11 with Stephen Hauschild finding the back of the net off an assist from Chris Kuramoto. Recording a game-high eight shot attempts in the contest, Badji quickly tried to tie the game up but preseason All-Conference keeper Billy Knutsen saved three shots and had help from the crossbar over the following seven minutes.
In the 40th minute, Knutsen earned the assist with a long pass to Kibu Mbaluku, who shot over the out-stretched hands of redshirt freshman keeper Matt Gilbert for the 2-0 advantage. The Terriers trailed despite leading in both shots (8-5) and corners (2-0).
BU came out attacking in the second half, but the Eagles' line held strong, blocking a shot from junior Jordan Barker at 48:38 and even saving a shot with Knutsen out of position from junior Parker Powell.
Finishing ahead in both yellow cards (7-1) and fouls (20-13), the Eagles gave BU an opportunity to cut into the deficit at 58:44 when Badji earned a penalty kick. The preseason All-Conference striker entered the contest 2-of-3 in penalty kicks with the missed attempt occurring at Brown. Knutsen made the save to keep the Terriers off the board.
Badji rebounded from the disappointment 12 minutes later when he headed in his sixth goal of the season off a cross from senior Anthony Ciccone, who now has seven helpers on the year.
Looking for the equalizer, the Terriers had a corner kick in the 73rd minute but Badji's shot attempt was blocked. Knutsen then saved a shot from Ciccone five minutes later before American took advantage of a BU foul. Patrick Mehlert played the long ball into the box, and Chris Fanet finished the set piece with a header at 80:19.
The Terriers ended the game with an 18-12 lead in shots and 5-3 advantage in corners. Gilbert tallied four saves, while Knutsen had seven for the Eagles.
BU will now return home and host Bucknell in the regular season finale next Saturday (Nov. 9) at 2 p.m. with a Patriot League tournament berth on the line. Prior to kick off, the Terriers will honor seniors Fannar Arnarsson, Anthony Ciccone, Vicente Colmenares, Evin Nadaner and Ali Sozeri.
