Boston University men fall to Brown

BOSTON - Beginning a three-game homestand, the Boston University men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to Brown on Sunday night at Nickerson Field. Having allowed only one goal in six games, the Bears improve to 4-0-2, while the Terriers (3-3-1) drop their third straight game.

Brown tallied its first goal with 1:54 remaining off a shot from T.J. Popolizio with assistance from Bobby Belair and Austin Mandel in the first half. Six minutes into the second stanza, Bobby Melair headed in a pass toward the left post from Jay Hayward, who was nearly 30 yards out.

BU maintained possession of the ball for most of the game but was never able to consistently apply pressure on Brown's defense. At 21:46, senior Aaron O'Neal headed a pass from junior Stephen Knox toward the far post, but goalie Paul Grandstrand dove to make his first of three saves.

Six minutes later, junior Ben Berube dribbled toward the top of the box and tried to curl the ball into the goal, but his shot hit the crossbar. Both he and classmate Michael Bustamante would finish with four attempts, while redshirt freshman Brandon Briggs recorded one save.

The Terriers had a 17-9 edge in shot attempts and also led in corner kicks, 9-2. BU though could never connect and suffered its second consecutive shutout.

The homestand continues Friday (Sept. 24) with Rhode Island at 7 p.m.