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Men's soccer hopes for revival of last decade's success

By Brian Fitzgerald

It doesn't take a soccer expert -- or a statistician -- to see that the men's soccer Terriers have taken a dip in the victory column in the new millennium. A perennial winner since 1985, BU hasn't had a losing season in 16 years, and in the 1990s it boasted a .680 winning percentage. Only 16 college programs fared better during the decade.

But BU's fortunes, highlighted by an undefeated regular season in 1994, began to wane in 1999, when it posted an 8-6-5 record after going 11-4-3 the previous year. Last season, thanks to numerous injuries, the Terriers were a mediocre 8-7-2. But Coach Neil Roberts says the 2001 edition will probably be better. "We're playing a lot more smoothly and we're improving every game," says Roberts. "I don't think that was the case last season."

Joachim Kaland (MET'02) scored two goals in BU's 4-2 victory over Quinnipiac on September 23. Photo by Steve Lemon

Although the injury bug is biting again this year, Assistant Coach Andy Fleming is hoping that it remains a nibble and not a big chomp.

"We have some nagging injuries," he says. "Key players have been able to play, but not at 100 percent. Even with the injuries, the talent is still out there. Realistically, we could win 15 or 16 games."

BU's record at present is 4-2, which is a little better than where it stood at this point a year ago (3-2-1). The Terriers were underdogs heading into the 2000 season also, and then goalkeeper Matt Smith (CAS'03), the team's top freshman in 1999, suffered a broken bone in his right hand in a drill before preseason even began, missing the first 10 games. Joachim Kaland (MET'02), a Second Team America East All-Conference selection in 1999, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the seventh game, against Creighton. Freshmen Mark Richardson (CGS'02), Michael Feely (CGS'02), and Alan McNamara (CGS'02) were all sidelined at different points with nagging injuries.

The bright side of last year's adversity is the fact that underclassmen benefited from being enlisted into game action earlier than they would have been. "The experience definitely paid off," says Fleming, "but I don't want to be in the same boat in October, saying the exact same thing. We'll be sounding like a broken record. We have a high standard because of what the program has done in the past. From top to bottom we're more talented than anyone else in the conference, and there's no reason why we shouldn't get into the NAC tournament and win the conference."

This year's campaign began with shutout victories over Lehigh, 1-0, and Army, 4-0. BU then traveled to UConn (20-3-2 in 2000) for a matchup with last year's national champions. An upset victory would have been something to build on. Unfortunately, the Terriers lost, 1-0, but in a game that had BU playing aggressively and UConn back on its heels. "We played really well, but we took a step backward," says Fleming. Next, a 2-1 double-overtime loss to UMass-Amherst evened their record. However, the Terriers managed to overcome their scoring woes when they defeated George Mason, 6-2, and Quinnipiac, 4-2, on September 21 and 23. "We came together offensively," says Roberts. "It was an impressive weekend."

	Andy Dorman (CGS'02) was named America East Player of the Week after scoring three goals and four assists in the two-game Diadora Classic tournament in Kingston, R.I., September 21 and 23. Photo by Rob Klein

Plenty of opportunities still exist for BU to test its mettle against nationally recognized teams. The first home game of the season will be on Saturday, September 29, at 1 p.m., against Boston College, a team that won the Big East Conference tournament last year. "We look forward to finally playing at home," says Roberts. "BC is known as a defensive team, but their offense is good too." Then comes another home game, on Tuesday, October 2, at 7 p.m., against number 20 Northeastern, a team that has beaten Duke, North Carolina State, and Old Dominion so far this year. The Terriers' next home game is against conference rival New Hampshire, which defeated Georgetown this season. BU will also host Stony Brook, a top 25 team last year, on October 21 at 1 p.m.

There are no slouches on BU's schedule. "College soccer has gotten to the point where there is tremendous parity," says Fleming. "We don't have any easy games." But he adds that while many college programs focus on opponents' weaknesses, BU emphasizes its own strengths. "We're trying to not worry about what our opponent is going to do and concentrate on ourselves," says Fleming. "If we play with the sharpness and the intensity that we're capable of, we'll be all right. We should not only be able to be in every game, but also win."

The Terriers, with 18 freshmen and sophomores, are a young team. "In the back of my mind I remind myself that we're young, but at the same time, the year of graduation is only a number," says Fleming. "These guys are good."

28 September 2001
Boston University
Office of University Relations