Men's Soccer Season Ends at Hartford

by Nathaniel Lowenthal

The Boston University Terriers men’s soccer team (9-7-2) had their season come to an end on Saturday with a 2-1 loss to the University of Hartford Hawks in the opening round of the America East Conference Tournament. The Hawks relied on two late scores to eliminate the Terriers.

BU was able to get an early 1-0 lead on a goal from sophomore Stephen Knox (’12). Junior Aaron O’Neal (’11) fired a shot that was saved by Hawks goaltender Nenad Cudic. Cudic was unable to control the shot however, and has the ball trickled away Knox (’12) approached and struck the ball into the net for his fifth score of the year.

The Terriers went into the half with the 1-0 lead, but Hartford was able to score an equalizer 21 minutes into the 2nd half. James Stamopoulos got the goal beating BU goalkeeper Hrafn Davidsson (’10) by heading in a pass from Patrick Boucher. It was the first goal of the year for Stamopoulos.

At the 75:12 mark, Hartford’s Cedomir Tomcic put the Hawks ahead for good. Tomcic was able to get a clean strike from 15 yards out off a Carlos Villa pass to beat Davidsson (’10).

BU had some chances to tie the game up in the final 15 minutes, but they were unable to convert. Head Coach Neil Roberts even moved Davidsson from net to the offensive side of the field on a corner kick. With a few seconds remaining, Terriers co-captain Samuel Appiah (’10) sent a shot wide from inside the box, and the Hawks were able to celebrate.

Statistically, Hartford outshot BU 12-9. Cudic had two saves for Hartford, while Davidsson had four for BU. Once again, the Terriers were able to take advantage of corner kicks, has they held a five to one advantage, but were unable to make anything out of them.

With the loss the NCAA careers of the following Terriers come to an end: Davidsson, Richy Dorman (’10), Appiah (’10), Tom Strackhouse (’10), and Shaun Taylor (’10), should he choose not to accept a medical red-shirt.