Aug. 24, 2012

Box Score

QUEENS, N.Y. - Competing in its 64th season opener, the Boston University men's soccer team fell at No. 13 St. John's, 3-0, on Friday night. The Terriers battled tough, holding a 10-6 edge in shot attempts, but they only managed three on goal against the Red Storm's five.

Picked to win the Big East's Red Division, the defending conference tournament champions got on the board quickly in the fourth minute when Nick Matthews headed in a rebound that resulted from sophomore Nick Thomson stopping Sean Sepe's initial attempt.

After Thomson made a save at 6:27, the Terriers settled down and peppered SJU's defense with seven shot attempts over the following 25 minutes while preventing the home team from getting a look at goal. Recording 11 shutouts last season, the Red Storm though survived the onslaught and used a counter attack to score the second goal.

The Terriers had two of their six corner kicks in the 40th minute. During a scrum following the second attempt, Andres Vargas found the ball and sprinted across the field to help SJU pull away for the win.

SJU added a third tally in the second minute of the second half when Jack Bennett was fouled inside BU's box. A preseason All-Big East honoree, he converted on the penalty kick for the final goal.

Redshirting last season due to injury, senior Michael Bustamante led the Terriers with three shot attempts, including two on goal. Thomson had two saves in the contest, while Rafael Diaz had three for the shutout victory.

Continuing a six-game road trip, BU will return to action on Monday (Aug. 27) at No. 12 Boston College with action slated to begin at 5 p.m.