Oct. 7, 2009
Final Stats | BU/UNH Highlights
BOSTON - Down a goal at the half, New Hampshire rallied back with two scores in the second to defeat the 15th-ranked Boston University men's soccer team, 2-1, on Wednesday night at Nickerson Field. With the win, the Wildcats improve to 4-5-1 in their conference opener, while the Terriers (7-3-2, 1-1 AE) see their five-game unbeaten streak end.
Playing a conservative style with four to five men in the back throughout the game, UNH fell behind early when BU's America East player of the game Michael Bustamante placed a free kick just outside the box inside the near post for his first goal of the season at 11:29. The 2008 AE Midfielder of the Year now has nine points on the year.
The Terriers finished the half ahead in shots, 7-2, but could not break through the wall the rest of the game. They also had a 3-0 edge in corner kicks.
Using an offensive strategy of dumping the ball into the box to create scoring opportunities, the Wildcats only had six shots the entire contest, but all of them were on goal.
Receiving a pass from Dylan George, Jordan Thomas broke through on a counter attack at 52:26 with a shot inside the box past a diving Hrafn Davidsson to tie the contest.
During another counter attack, UNH's AE Player of the Game Chris Banks headed in what would be the game winner at 73:27 off a cross from Sean Coleman.
The Terriers attempted 12 shots in the second half but only had three on goal, including a last ditch effort by Davidsson. With about 20 seconds on the clock, he rushed up when BU earned a corner kick.
Bustamante placed the ball in the box, and there was a scramble from both sides to kick the ball. Falling to the ground, Davidsson took a stab at it toward the far post, but was unable to put enough force behind the kick, as Colin O'Donnell made the save to preserve the victory.
Both O'Donnell and Davidsson finished with four saves each, while Bustamante led the Terriers with eight shots. BU finished ahead in shots, 19-6, and had an 8-2 edge in corners.
With the loss, the Terriers are now 22-17-9 against UNH in the all-time series and will remain looking for their first home win since 2003 against the Wildcats. The three previous contests had ended in 0-0 draws.
BU will now enter a difficult stretch to conclude the regular season, as the team will play four of the final five games on the road, beginning at Hartford on Saturday (Oct. 10) with a 7 p.m. start time.
