BOSTON – After honoring the Class of 2016, the Boston University men's soccer team will host Army West Point in a critical Patriot League matchup Saturday night for both squads with action slated to begin at 7 p.m.
There are only two games left in a wide open race for a spot in the six-team PL tournament, and the Terriers currently find themselves in seventh in the standings at eight points with Army and Colgate in a tie-for-third at 13 points. Both Bucknell and Lafayette are tied-for-fifth at 10 points and will be looking to remain ahead of BU against Lehigh (t-8th, 6 pts.) and Navy (10th, 2 pts.), respectively.
TERRIER TIDBITS
- The Terriers will be honoring seniors David Amirani, David Asbjornsson, Peter Brodeur, Noah Sinkoff and Mark Wadid ... Fifth-year senior Matt Gilbert was formally recognized last year with his original class.
- BU is 5-2-0 at home but only 1-2-0 in conference play so far following the Oct. 15 win over Lafayette (1-0) and earlier losses to American (2-0) and Colgate (2-1).
- The Terriers are 3-1-1 in the last five games and are coming off their first road win of the season, Wednesday's 2-0 victory at Holy Cross.
- De Bona has netted five of his team-leading eight goals over the past five games ... Junior Anthony Viteri joined him in tallying a goal against the Crusaders to remain two points behind at six goals and two assists.
- Freshman Matt McDonnell became the fourth Terrier to post a goal and assist this season when he tallied his first two-career assists at Holy Cross.
- Freshman Jerry Ozor added an assist as well on Wednesday to move into sole possession of first at five helpers.
- Gilbert earned four saves against the Crusaders for the team's fifth shutout of the season and currently ranks fourth all-time at BU with 220 saves ... He owns a 1.28 goals against average and .788 save percentage.
SCOUTING ARMY WEST POINT
- The Black Knights are on a three-game unbeaten streak following wins over Colgate (2-1 OT) and Stony Brook (2-0) and 2-2 draw vs. Loyola Maryland ... They are also 4-1-1 in the last six games with the lone loss occurring at American (2-0).
- Army is 3-3-1 on the road with wins against the Raiders, Sacred Heart and Lehigh.
- Rex Epps leads Army with nine goals and 18 points, while Nick Williams owns five goals and two assists for 12 points.
- Justin Stoll (6-3-1) has started 10 games at net and owns a 0.86 goals against average and 0.833 save percentage with four shutouts ... Christian Nolasco (2-2-1) has five starts with a 1.73 GAA and 0.571 save percentage.
- Army has outscored opponents in the first half, 10-6, but is tied in the second, 12-12.
SERIES HISTORY
- Last Meeting: Oct. 31, 2015 – BU 1, @ Army West Point 1 (2OT)
- Sophomore T.J. Butzke and junior Danny Foen assisted on De Bona's 26th-minute goal.
- The Black Knights struck back in the 58th minute and finished with 10 saves against Gilbert's three to preserve the tie.
- The Terriers own a 5-2-1 advantage in a series that dates back to 1978 ... They are 2-1-1 since joining the Patriot League.
- In 2014, BU won both meetings at home, including a thrilling 1-0 OT victory in the Patriot League semifinals.
