LOWELL, Mass. – Sophomore
Jason Zacarias netted his first career goal and junior
Ben Alexander earned four saves, as the Boston University men's soccer team remained unbeaten with a 1-1 draw at UMass Lowell Sunday night.
The Terriers (0-0-3) struck first in the 25th minute, and the River Hawks (2-0-2) found the equalizer in the 40th. The contest marked the first-ever tie between the two programs in 10 meetings.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Junior Diego Rived nearly put the Terriers on the scoreboard first in the 11th minute. Junior Damola Salami made a strong run toward the UML box and fed the ball to senior Andrew Right, who sent a low cross to set up Rived's near point-blank shot that forced a diving save from JR Gawel.
- The River Hawks cleared the ensuing corner but were less lucky in the 25th minute when Rent sent another dangerous cross into the box, and Zacarias pounced on a failed clear with a curling shot past the keeper toward the right post for the 1-0 advantage.
- After Alexander earned his first save at 26:15, the River Hawks swiped the ball in the 39th minute on their side of the field and successfully converted on a counter. Inaki Esnaola made a long run across the field and sent a low pass to Yanis Lakhlifi who was ruled on sides when getting behind the backline to fire a shot on the right side of the box past Alexander at 39:01.
- The teams traded blows in the second half but were unable to break the deadlock with five shots apiece for the tie.
GAME NOTES
- Zacarias became the second Terrier to score a goal this season after junior Quin DeLaMater also netted his first career goal on Tuesday at Northeastern.
- Junior Ryan Lau, Rived and DeLaMater joined Alexander in playing all 90 minutes.
- Alexander, Salami and Williams all made their first starts with the Terriers.
- UML finished with a 12-10 edge in shots, as both teams earned two corner kicks apiece. The River Hawks also more than doubled BU in fouls, 19-9.
- BU is now 5-4-1 all-time against the River Hawks, as the teams battled to a 1-1 deadlock at the end of regulation for the second consecutive meeting at Cushing Field.
UP NEXT
- BU will next return to Nickerson Field and open a three-game homestand against Saint Mary's on Thursday (Sept. 5) with a 4 p.m. start time.
- The Terriers and Gaels from the West Coast Conference will face off for the first time in program history.