BOSTON – Following a lengthy lightning delay, junior Quinn Matulis delivered a strike of his own in the 86th minute to help lead the Boston University men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over previously unbeaten Navy on Saturday night at Nickerson Field.

Junior Francesco Montali recorded six saves for his first shutout of the season and second overall for the Terriers (1-4-1, 1-0-0 PL), as the Midshipmen fell to 5-1-1 (0-1-0 PL) in the conference opener for both squads. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Navy dominated possession during the first 25 minutes of action, but BU's backline did not break.
• Montali made a diving stop at 4:09 and collected another save in the 11th minute following the Mids' first corner of the night.
• Reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Week Brian Hernandez attempted the Terriers' lone shot of the half by winning a high ball in the box with a header that went wide of the net at 7:50.
• BU though began to exert more control as the half reached its conclusion with the teams still in a scoreless deadlock.
• Three minutes after the Terriers earned their first corner of the game in the 50th minute, Montali stopped Baba Kallie's shot attempt and saw the backline clear another Navy corner.
• In a preview of what was to come, Matulis blasted the crossbar from outside the box at 55:03.
• The game was halted at 66:50 by a lightning delay, which lasted approximately an hour and a half.
• When play resumed and rain began to fall, the Mids quickly earned a corner and later forced another save from Montali at 78:10.
• BU blocked a pair of shots in the 85th minute to keep the game scoreless.
• In the 86th minute, freshman Kevin Torres managed to get a foot on the ball near midfield to kick it toward junior Ronaldo Marshall.
• Marshall played the ball up to Matulis, who fired a strike inside the left post from 25 yards out for the 1-0 advantage.
• Navy had a header go well wide in the 88th minute and sent a free kick into the box with just 12 seconds left in regulation, but Montali was able to smother the ball for the shutout.

GAME NOTES

• Matulis recorded his second goal of the season following a successful penalty kick at Boston College back on Aug. 30 to move into a tie for first on the team in both goals and points (4) with Hernandez.
• Marshall became the first Terrier to score a goal and earn an assist this season, as he improved to three points.
• With Torres also earning an assist for his first career point, BU now has seven Terriers with at least one point this season. 
• BU earned its fourth shutout victory against Navy in five meetings after upsetting the No. 23 Midshipmen, 1-0, in OT in 2019 at home to improve to 6-2-0 all-time.
• Following a shortened four-game spring season, second-year head coach Kevin Nylen claimed his first career win at Nickerson Field.
• Navy finished with a 12-4 advantage in shots and 6-1 lead in corners.

UP NEXT

• The Terriers will return to the road and next visit Lafayette on Saturday (Sept. 25) with action set to begin at 12 p.m.
• Reigning PL runner-up Lafayette has won the last two meetings, including a 3-2 decision at Nickerson Field this past spring.