WORCESTER, Mass. – Boosted by freshman John Siracuse's 14th-minute goal and senior Mike Bernardi's five saves, the Boston University men's soccer team claimed a 1-0 victory at Holy Cross on Wednesday night. 

With their first shutout and road win of the season, the Terriers improve to 3-6-2 and 2-1-0 in Patriot League play, as the Crusaders (2-4-4, 1-1-1) have their three-game unbeaten streak snapped. The victory had extra significance, as BU also extended its lead in the annual Turnpike Trophy all-sports competition to 2-0 against Holy Cross after the Terrier women earned a 3-0 road win one week prior.

Congrats to John Siracuse on earning his first career collegiate goal and becoming the fifth Terrier to find the back of the net this season! #GoBU

Watch the rest of the action live on the PLN at https://t.co/itIosDaNj6. #GoBU pic.twitter.com/U8xvmlOV3K

— BU Men's Soccer (@TerrierMSOC) October 3, 2018

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In the 14th minute, junior Satchel Cortet sent a cross toward the left corner flag to sophomore Max Aunger, who fired a cross into the box past a Holy Cross defender.
• Named Turnpike Trophy MVP, Siracuse pounced on the ball and one-timed it inside the left post for the 1-0 lead at 13:12.
• The Terriers went into the locker room with a 1-0 lead with a 6-5 advantage in shots and 2-2 tie in corner kicks.
• Holy Cross was on the attack for most of the second half by posting 13 shots with the help of five corners.
• Bernardi and the backline alone combined for three saves during a frantic 40-second stretch early in the half.
• The defense stepped up big again in the 78th minute when senior David Riccio deflected a low hard shot out of bounds just in front of the goal.
• HC had four more shot attempts during the final five minutes of action but were unable to pressure Bernardi into making a save for the loss.

David Riccio receives a bear hug from Mike Bernardi after stepping in front with this big block to keep us ahead, 1-0. Watch the final minutes on the PLN at https://t.co/itIosDaNj6. #GoBU pic.twitter.com/T50Enhah4o

— BU Men's Soccer (@TerrierMSOC) October 4, 2018

GAME NOTES

• Siracuse's first goal occurred on his first-career shot attempt while becoming the fifth Terrier to find the back of the net this season.
• On the score, Aunger recorded his first-career point and assist, while Cortet tied sophomore Toti Knutsson and senior T.J. Butzke for the team lead at three assists apiece.
• Bernardi posted five saves to earn his eighth-career shutout as a Terrier.
• 2017 All-PL defender Elias Lampis made his first appearance of the season after missing the first 10 games due to injury, 
• BU improved to 13-2-1 all-time against the Crusaders and is now riding a six-game unbeaten streak with the help of five shutouts.
• HC finished ahead in both shots (18-8) and corners (7-3), as Henry Stutz record four saves for the Crusaders.

NEXT UP: LAFAYETTE

• The Terriers are back home on Saturday (Oct. 6) to host Lafayette at 3 p.m.
• Along with Alumni Day, BU is also hosting the first-ever Soc'toberFest, which will feature free food, giveaways, a 21+ beer garden and more starting at 2 p.m.
• The Terriers are 4-1-0 against Lafayette since joining the PL in the summer of 2013 and have won the last four contests by a combined score of 7-1.