Sept. 27, 2014
Box Score | Highlights | Watch Replay on PLN
BOSTON - After honoring 30th-season head coach Neil Roberts in a special pregame ceremony, the Boston University men's soccer team used two second-half goals and a career-high nine saves from senior Nick Thomson to defeat the defending Patriot League champion Navy, 2-1, on Saturday night at Nickerson Field.
With Roberts' 324th career victory, the Terriers (5-2-1, 1-0-0 PL) extend their unbeaten streak to four games and snap the Midshipmen's (4-4-1, 0-1-0 PL) 11-game win streak against Patriot League competition.
Junior Lucas McBride put BU on the board first in the 53rd minute when he rifled a low shot toward the right post from 18 yards out after receiving a quick pass form freshman David Amirani. Senior Nick Thomson topped his previous high of eight saves by one for the victory and assisted on what proved to be the game winner in the 65th minute.
The keeper drove a low and hard kick from his box toward the midfield, and senior Jordan Barker flicked it forward to the moving senior Dominique Badji. The striker sprinted through two defenders and sent the ball at the right post for his fourth goal of the season.
Leading the Patriot League in goals at 1.88 per game, the Midshipmen outshot BU, 11-3, in the first half and went back on the attack after falling two goals behind. Previous winner over then-No. 10 Maryland (2-1), Navy finally broke through the Terriers' backline in the 79th minute when Alex Evans headed a header from Jamie Dubyoski over a jumping Thomson. The ball hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced into the goal.
The Mids had three more shot attempts in the final 10 minutes along with two corners but were unable to find the qualizer. With 20 seconds remaining in regulation, BU committed its 13th foul, allowing Navy to attempt a free kick from 35 yards out on the left side. The foul proved harmless though as the free kick was sent directly into Thomson's hands for the easy catch.
Navy finished ahead in both shot attempts, 24-5, and corner kicks, 6-1. Jackson Morgan had one save in the loss after allowing both scores. Thomson had five saves in the first half and four in the second, highlighted by an impressive diving stop of a point-blank header from Derek Vogel in the 69th minute.
Avenging last year's 1-0 loss at Navy, BU will next host Army on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m.
