John Roman jumps to head the ball during a scrum at Syracuse.
Michael Okoniewski
1
Boston U. BOS (12-4-4, 7-1-1)
3
Winner Syracuse SYR (9-4-7, 2-1-5)
Boston U. BOS
(12-4-4, 7-1-1)
1
Final
3
Syracuse SYR
(9-4-7, 2-1-5)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Boston U. BOS 1 0 1
Syracuse SYR 3 0 3

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

No. 21/25 Syracuse Eliminates Men's Soccer in NCAA Opener, 3-1

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Despite senior and reigning Patriot League Tournament MVP Eitan Rosen striking first with his 10th goal of the season, the Boston University men's soccer team fell at No. 21/25 Syracuse, 3-1, on Thursday night in the NCAA First Round.

The defending national champion Orange (9-4-7) improved to 11-0 all-time at home in postseason action to advance to the second round, as the Terriers saw their 75th season come to an end at 12-4-4.

Rosen put BU on the scoreboard first in the third minute off a cross from sophomore Alex Bonnington that was set up by a beautiful long ball from graduate student Colin Innes. Leading the nation in corner kicks, the Orange though continued to pressure the Terrier backline and finally broke through in the 23rd minute with a header.

Syracuse scored two more times off service passes in the 33rd and 34th minutes, respectively, before finishing with a 21-11 advantage in shots. Senior and two-time reigning PL Goalkeeper of the Year Francesco Montali tallied a season-high seven saves in the contest.

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • After Syracuse's Felipe D'Agostini sent the Orange's first shot attempt high over the crossbar, BU quickly converted on a counter with Innes playing a loose ball far up from midfield.
  • Sophomore Alex Bonnington sent a low cross with his first touch to Rosen, who flicked the ball past the keeper for the 1-0 lead.
  • The Orange earned three corners and three shot attempts over the next 20 minutes prior to netting the equalizer at 22:49 with a header off a long service free kick into the box.
  • Syracuse remained on the attack, tallying five more shot attempts and two corners with the second leading to a ball bouncing off a Terrier defender into the back of the net at 32:38.
  • The Orange used another header off a service pass to extend the lead to 3-1 only 37 seconds later.
  • Sophomore John Roman and senior Ryan Lee tried to give BU momentum entering the locker room but were just off the mark over the final four minutes of the half.
  • In the second, Montali made saves at 53:28 and 57:50, respectively, to keep the deficit at two goals.
  • BU more than doubled its shot output over the final 45 minutes with eight attempts but was unable to mount a rally in the loss.
GAME NOTES
  • Rosen's 10 goals are the most since Aaron O'Neal ('10) tallied 11 in 2009. Rosen's just the fourth Terrier to earn 10+ goals in a season this century.
  • Innes' eight assists are the most by a Terrier since Anthony Ciccone ('13) totaled eight in 2012.
  • Bonnington earned his first assist this year, becoming the seventh Terrier to earn at least one goal and assist this season.
  • Syracuse finished with a 21-11 advantage in shots and 8-1 lead in corner kicks.
  • Syracuse secured its first-ever win against BU in the fourth overall meeting and first since the Terriers won in overtime in 2000.
  • BU dropped to 6-16-2 all-time in NCAA tournament action, making its first appearance since 2015.
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