Balogun Provides Spark in Men's Soccer's 2-0 Win over Harvard

Tuesday, October 15

Boston, MA

7 PM

Boston University

3-9-1

Harvard

0-8-1

Harvard

Boston University

Photo by: Rich Gagnon

Balogun Provides Spark in Men's Soccer's 2-0 Win over Harvard

October 15, 2019 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score Highlights

BOSTON – Within a three-minute span, junior Zion Balogun netted his first goal and assist of the season to help lead the Boston University men's soccer team to a 2-0 home victory over Harvard on Tuesday night at Nickerson Field.

Junior Michael Stone needed just two saves, as the Terriers (3-9-1) claimed their first shutout of the year and largest margin of victory against the Crimson (0-8-1) since a 3-0 win in 2015.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Terriers came out attacking with 11 shot attempts in the first 25 minutes with reigning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week Matt McDonnell firing one just wide at 3:31.
Freshman Marc Roura put the first one on goal in the eight minute to force a save by Oskar Nilsson.
After withstanding the storm, Harvard settled down and had a pair of dangerous crosses in the final 15 minutes of the half, as the teams went into the locker room tied, 0-0.
The Crimson continued to pressure early in the second half with their first three attempts of the contest but were unable to get on the scoreboard.
Balogun broke the deadlock in the 59th minute by collecting a loose ball following a long throw-in and firing a low grounder inside the left post.
BU needed little time to double the lead, as Balogun used a cross to set up junior Toti Knutsson's header shot that was stopped by Nilsson and then the quick put away by freshman Marc Roura at 60:43.
Harvard earned two corner kicks in the final 25 minutes but was unable to mount a rally for the shutout loss.

GAME NOTES

BU now has five Terriers who have scored this season after Balogun (Texas Wesleyan transfer) and Roura netted their first career goals at BU.
Balogun became the second behind McDonnell to record a multi-point performance this season and the first to have both a goal and assist this year.
Roura moved into a tie for second on the team with sophomore Kari Petursson at four points.
Both men and Knutsson are tied for the team lead with two assists apiece.
The Terriers have now won three straight behind their fourth multi-goal performance in five contests while also winning their third straight at home against the Crimson.
BU allowed a season-low five shot attempts while recording 19 of their own and posting 3-2 advantage in corners.

NEXT UP: BUCKNELL

The Terriers will resume Patriot League play at Bucknell on Sunday (Oct. 20) with a 1 p.m. start time.
All eight meetings between the two schools have gone to overtime with BU winning its first-ever game last season with a 97th-minute goal.
All three previous contests in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, have ended in a draw, including the 0-0 decision in 2017.