BOSTON – After 88 minutes of scoreless soccer against BU, junior midfielder
Chris Sullivan netted a glorious game-winning strike to give the American University men's soccer team a massive victory over the Patriot League's top team on the road. It stands as Sullivan's second game-winner of the season, and the victory puts the Eagles in third place in the conference at 3-1-1.
Notable
- Sebastian Garces picked up the assist on Sullivan's goal.
- Sullivan also scored a game-winner against Colgate on Sept. 11 that was remarkably similar to today's goal, hitting a shot through from the top right side of the box with his left foot. The two timely tallies total his goals season.
- The Eagles put in a spirited defensive effort, keeping the PL's top-scoring team out of their net. While allowing 11 shots, the Terriers were only able to put two on goal.
- The first half was played mostly on AU's side of the field, with BU outshooting American 8-0. The Eagles weathered the storm, limiting the Terriers to just three shots in the second half while generating four of their own.
- Sophomore keeper Evan Tubbs made two saves in the match.
- AU has scored just six goals this season, but the Eagles have lost just one match in which they've found the back of the net.
How it Happened
- BU created the only scoring chances of the first half, but none that created much trouble for Tubbs and the Eagles' defense.
- American came out with more life in the attacking third in the second half. Just three minutes in, Colin O'Brien got loose for a header in the box off a feed from Massimo Meneses, but his try was saved at the near post by Ben Alexander.
- The game-winning goal was looming for AU, putting the Terriers on the defensive after generating a corner kick and a shot on goal for Nicholas Beil with just 1:51 remaining.
- Sullivan's strike came just 49 seconds later, finishing off a beautiful passing sequence from one end of the field to the other.
- Rex-Emmanuel Cobbina forced a turnover and got the ball to Sullivan in BU's half, who found Yuta Phoenix on the left side. The freshman dished to Garces in the middle of the field, who made a run into the attacking third and hit Sullivan in stride at the top of the box.
- The junior captain stopped and went from his right to left foot to create separation from two defenders, then curled his shot off the top of the left post and into the net.
- The Eagles held off the Terriers in the final 1:02 to take three points away.
Up Next
- The Eagles are back at home next Saturday, Oct. 24 against Lafayette for Senior Day.
Keep Up With Us
- For the latest on American University Men's Soccer, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on X (@AU_MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer).
