By Akshai Wadhwani
BOSTON, MA – After a comeback victory for its first win of the 2018 slate, the Boston University men’s soccer team heads to nearby Dartmouth, New Hampshire for a match with Dartmouth College on Tuesday.
The Terriers (1-2-1) scored twice within 34 seconds in the second half to pull ahead with a 3-2 decision over UMass on Friday night at Nickerson Field. Their inaugural victory guided them to some momentum upon departure from Boston, as they prepare for a three-match tour of the Ivy League starting with the Big Green.
BU’s six tallies are tied atop the Patriot League leaderboard. The Terriers also have 43 shots, an average of 10.8 per game, with 17 on target.
Junior forward Matt McDonnell is on fire. Head coach Neil Roberts lauded his leading goal scorer as “[preparing] very, very well, physically and mentally” for the 2018 season. McDonell has scored five goals in three matches—including a hat trick against Boston College. He leads BU in points and is followed by sophomore Toti Knutsson, who has three assists, and freshman Kari Petursson who BU’s only other goal of the season.
The Big Green (0-3) are scoreless —so far mirroring the tribulations of 2017’s Terriers, who began their year 0-5 and goalless. After going 12-3-2 last season, winning the Ivy League conference and earning an NCAA berth, Darmouth has taken a step back. The Big Green do, however, retain several prolific performers from last year. Eduvie Ikoba scored eight goals and added three assists last fall. Justin Donawa had three goals and eight assists. Dawson McCartney also had eight assists and added two goals to lead a trio of returners.
As well as their current predicament, the Big Green also have series history to worry about; BU will arrive in New Hampshire in possession of a six-match unbeaten streak in the all-time matchup, and also hold the edge overall at 5-4-3.
Kickoff from Burnham Field is set for 5 p.m.
WTBU Sports 