DURHAM, N.H. – Highlighted by senior Alex Bonnington's 48th-minute goal and classmate Ben Alexander's two saves, the Boston University men's soccer team opened its 77th season with a 1-0 road victory at New Hampshire Thursday afternoon.

Following a scoreless first half, freshman Austin Mobray helped set up the game-winning goal with a shot off the crossbar that Bonnington immediately pounced on for the victory against the Wildcats (0-1). UNH recorded a 9-5 advantage in shots and 7-1 lead in corner kicks but could not break through the Terriers' backline after only suffering three losses all of last season in 17 games played.

Both keepers recorded two saves apiece, as BU earned its third shutout over the last four years against the Wildcats.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Senior and reigning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Quin DeLaMater blocked Ryo Miyata's shot attempt inside the box during the eighth minute to help the Terriers go on the counter, which finished with junior Keke Abai firing a low grounder left of the post.
• Alexander made his first diving stop at 18:46 and worked with the backline to clear the Wildcats' first corner kick.
• Abai forced a save from Scott Williams in the 28th minute with what turned out to be the Terriers' last shot attempt of the first half.
• UNH cleared BU's lone corner at 42:07 and launched a shot that was well off the mark in the final second to enter the locker room in a scoreless deadlock.
• The Terriers needed little time in the second half to get on the scoreboard, as Mobray received a long pass from DeLaMater and made his way past the last defender to rip a shot off the left post that found the feet of a charging Bonnington for the quick strike. 
• Abai forced another save from Williams at 61:58, and Alexander caught a header set up by a UNH corner at 73:52.
• Trying desperately to net the equalizer, the Wildcats were just limited to two shots the rest of the game.

GAME NOTES

• Making his first career start, Abai led BU with three shot attempts, including two on goal.
• Senior Ethan Gill (Holy Cross) and sophomore Jack Grossman (Syracuse) earned the start in their debut.
• Freshman Sebastian Otero and sophomore Pharis Petrica (Central Arkansas) both made their debut in the scarlet & white as well off the bench.
• Alexander claimed his first shutout as a Terrier after earning a combined five clean sheets over two years at South Carolina.
• Senior John Roman and Abai joined Alexander as the only Terriers to play all 90 minutes.
• The Terriers improved to 25-23-10 all-time against UNH with a 2-1-1 mark over the last four meetings.

UP NEXT

• BU will visit defending national champion and current No. 1 nationally-ranked Vermont on Sunday (Aug. 24) at 1 p.m.
• The two former America East rivals will face off for the first time since they battled to a scoreless draw in 2012.
• The Terriers earned a 1-0 road victory in 2011.