Hartford Holds Off Late Terrier Surge for 1-1 Draw
BU records 22 of game-high 35 shot attempts in the second half against UH's four
Senior Michael Bustamante tallied a career-high 11 shot attempts.

Senior Michael Bustamante tallied a career-high 11 shot attempts.

Sept. 29, 2012

Box Score | Highlights

Coach Roberts' postgame thoughts

BOSTON - Senior Michael Bustamante scored in the 61st minute and sophomore Nick Thomson posted four saves to help the Boston University men's soccer team earn a 1-1 draw against Hartford in the America East opener for both teams on Saturday night at Nickerson Field. Playing in just their third home game this season, the Terriers move to 2-5-3 (0-0-1 AE), while the Hawks now sit at 6-4-1 (0-0-1 AE).

BU dominated possession for most of the contest and finished with a 35-11 advantage in shot attempts with 22 coming in the second half. However, Hartford's Viltsu Tuumi stood tall with nine saves for his team's first draw of the year.

The Hawks got on the board first when an unchecked Anthony Santaga tapped in Mathias Axelsson's free kick from near midfield at 38:00. BU went into the locker room at the half with a 1-0 deficit despite leading in shot attempts, 10-6.

Finishing with a career-high 11 shot attempts, Bustamante quickly found the equalizer in the second half at 60:31 when he fired the ball from 10 yards out on the right side after receiving a pass from sophomore Dominique Badji.

After Thomson saved a soft UH header one minute later, the Terriers took control of the ball for the final 28 minutes of regulation. Tuumi stopped a shot from senior Max White at 62:24 and followed with an impressive diving save at 69:46 off an attempt from junior Anthony Ciccone, who stormed past defenders on the left side.

BU continued to pepper the Hawks defense with shots. In the 75th minute, freshman Carlos Ruiz fed the ball down the left side to Bustamante, who sent a cross to sophomore Parker Powell in the box. Moving ahead of the Hawks' defenders, Powell went to one-time the ball, but Tuumi moved quick enough for another strong save to keep the game even.


 

 

Eight minutes later, Ciccone rifled a shot from 20 yards out that curled toward the upper right corner and nailed the crossbar. The Hawks blocked four shot attempts within a 40 second span and then seconds later saved a header from sophomore Sanford Spivey off a corner from Ruiz.

In its fourth overtime of the season, the Terriers' offense stalled early when Ciccone had to be helped off the field. Finishing with five shot attempts and setting up multiple opportunities for the Terriers throughout the contest, he returned in the second 10-minute session, but BU had lost the momentum as the game ended in a tie.

Finishing with a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks, the Terriers will remain at home and next host Adelphi on Tuesday (Oct. 2) at 7 p.m.