Nov. 23, 2007

Final Stats

AMHERST, Mass. - The season ended on a sour note for the Boston University men's soccer team, as the Terriers fell to Massachusetts Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, 2-1. Battling back from a two goal deficit late in the second half, senior Derek Puerta scored in the 87th minute to cut the lead to one. Sophomore Shaun Taylor had the opportunity to net the equalizer with 42 seconds remaining in the game, but blasted his shot off the right post.

Tempers flared in the cold weather, as the teams amassed four yellow cards, including three on the Terriers (9-6-4). After the Minutemen (13-7-1) controlled play for much of the opening 45 minutes, Boston University found its attack in the second half and put pressure on the UMass defense.

In the 24th minute, UMass sophomore Mark DeSantis attacked goal from the right side and drew sophomore Hrafn Davidsson out of goal. DeSantis then sent a cross to freshman Stuart Amick, who tapped the ball in for the first score of the game to put the Minutemen ahead.

Boston University was unable to find its touch on offense through much of the first half, as the UMass defense played an aggressive defensive game to halt Terrier drives.

The Minutemen scored again in the 67th minute, netting their second corner-kick goal of the postseason after scoring none during the regular season. Sophomore Michael Jejna scored his first career goal of a header, after senior Kenny Cook and junior Douglas Rappaport headed the ball off the corner kick.

The Terriers improved their attack significantly in the second half, putting more pressure on the UMass defense, which bended but failed to break until the waning minutes of the game.

In the 87th minute, the Terriers rushed goal and sophomore Samuel Appiah sent a forward pass for Puerta towards goal. Puerta lifted a shot that bounded into the right side of goal, just beyond the reach of the diving goalkeeper.

BU had another opportunity in the final seconds of the game, as a rolling ball towards goal was chipped over the goalkeeper and received by Taylor with no defenders between him and the goal. Taylor quickly got his shot off just a few yards from the net with a mere 42 seconds remaining in the game, but the ball bounced off the right post and safely away from goal.

UMass will move on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, facing Boston College on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at Chestnut Hill.