Men’s Soccer Advances to Patriot League Semifinals

All-Patriot League First Team honorees Anthony Viteri (CGS’16) (left) and Felix De Bona (CAS’17) have combined for 14 goals to help the Terriers claim back-to-back 12 plus–win seasons for the first time since the 1993–1994 season. Photos by Steve McLaughlin

Neil Roberts is blunt about what’s at stake as his soccer Terriers head to Colgate this weekend to compete in the Patriot League Tournament.

“The championship is the first thing,” says the BU men’s soccer head coach. “That’s been our goal all year. We want to bring it back. Obviously, we still have two games left, so we’re still far away. But we know we’re right there, we know we’ve got a chance against anyone. Last year was a step in the right direction, making it to the finals, getting so close. But this year, we have to finish the job and get into the NCAAs. Everybody plays to get into the NCAA tournament, and that’s where we’re supposed to be.”

The Terriers lost a heartbreaker in last year’s Patriot League final, falling 3-2 to Bucknell University in overtime. After registering back-to-back 12 plus–win seasons for the first time since 1993–1994, the team returns to the league tournament as the second seed, earning a bye in the quarterfinals after defeating Navy last Friday 2-1 in double overtime.

BU takes on American University tonight, Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m., in the second semifinal game, with regular season champion Colgate hosting the tournament. If the Terriers win tonight, they advance to the championship game on Sunday, at 1 p.m., going up against the winner of today’s Colgate-Lehigh semifinal game.

“We’re just looking to get some wins this weekend,” says midfielder Richie Robinson (ENG’16), an All-Conference Third Team honoree. “We just have to work hard and put in a great effort. It’s going to be tough, we all know that, but the goal is always to win.”

Among the Terriers’ six All-Conference honors were three of the league’s four major awards, going to BU for the second consecutive year.

Matt Gilbert (Questrom’17) became the first Terrier to claim the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year award. The standout goalkeeper led the conference in saves per game and was second in save percentage, recording shutouts against three top-50 RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) opponents along the way. This despite not seeing action last season because starting duties were owned by 2014 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Nick Thomson (CGS’13, SAR’15). Gilbert attributes much of his success to the Terrier defense.

“David Asbjornsson (ENG’17) and the rest of the defense—Adam Sheikali (CAS’18), David Riccio (CAS’19), and Jeroen Blugh (CAS’16)—all four of them have really put in a good effort this year,” says Gilbert. “Our defense has come a long way since the first game. They’ve helped me out whenever I’ve been in bad spots or out of my position. It’s nice knowing you’ve got such a strong backline in front of you; it takes a lot off your shoulders.”

The team’s stout defense is led by Iceland native Asbjornsson. He played most of his first two seasons in the midfield, moving to defense last year. Asbjornsson was named this year’s Patriot League Defender of the Year.

“He kind of looked at moving him back as an insult,” says Roberts of his decision to move Asbjornsson. “But we knew we needed him there. He did a real good job obviously. We wouldn’t be where we are without him.”

Magnus Benediktsson (Questrom’19), another Iceland native, earned Rookie of the Year honors, becoming the sixth Terrier in the last nine years to be recognized as conference best rookie. Benediktsson finished 31st in the country in assists per game, at .43.

Up front, the Terriers boast a number of talented players, including All-Conference First Team recipient Felix De Bona (CAS’17). Taking over for 2014 Offensive Player of the Year Dominique Badji (Questrom’15), De Bona scored a team-high eight goals, tied for second-best in the league.

Joining him on the All-Conference First Team, midfielder Anthony Viteri (CGS’16) not only registered a team-high 52 shots, but added six goals and two assists this season. A transfer student from St. John’s, Viteri’s importance extends well beyond the stat sheet, with many teammates referring to his instinct for knowing where to be at any given moment.

“He’s everywhere,” says Robinson. “He just has a great feel for the game. He knows where to be, when to make a run, and when to hold back. Having him come in and play as well as he has in his first year has really helped.”

In addition to going after their first Patriot League title, the Terriers will also be looking to end a seven-year NCAA postseason drought this weekend. To ease some of the tension, Roberts has ended the last few practices with penalty kick competitions.

“I think they help,” Roberts says. “It’s a big time of year for us—emotions are flying, everyone’s jumping, everyone wants to play. I think the penalties create a fun atmosphere. No matter how bad we want to win or how big the game is, at the end of the day, it’s still just a game. We have to understand that in order to be successful.”

The BU men’s soccer team takes on American University today, Friday, November 13, at 7 p.m., in the semifinal round of the Patriot League Tournament at Colgate University’s Beyer-Small ’76 Field. The winner will advance to the final on Sunday, November 15, at 1 p.m., at Colgate, against the winner of the earlier Colgate-Lehigh semifinal game. Admission is free for all games and all games will be broadcast live on the Patriot League Network. 

Emmanuel Gomez can be reached at mannygo@bu.edu.