BU men clinch America East with win

BOSTON - The Boston University men's soccer team's offense exploded with a season-high four goals to earn a 4-0 shutout victory over Binghamton Wednesday night at Nickerson Field. Earning their seventh win in eight games, the Terriers (10-4-1, 5-1-0) clinch the No. 1 seed for the America East tournament and the program's league-leading 10th regular season title.

With the victory, they also help 26th-year head coach Neil Roberts earn his 18th overall 10+ win season. Having only one losing season during his tenure at BU, he needs just three more victories to reach the 300-win milestone.

After the offense peppered the Bearcats' defense with nine shots, senior captain Aaron O'Neal finally put the Terriers on the board at 40:33 with assistance from junior Michael Bustamante and senior Ben Havey. With the goal, O'Neal moved into a tie-for-10th in career goals scored at 26 with assistant coach and BU Hall of Famer Francis Okaroh ('87).

Looking to extend the lead in the second half, Bustamante earned a second assist when he placed the ball over several defenders at the midfield to an open Ben Berube, who dribbled up to the goal and rifled past the keeper at 54:47 for the 2-0 lead. Both O'Neal and Berube now have seven goals apiece on the season.

The scoring didn't end, as senior Ryan Shea (60:46) and freshman Vicente Colmenares (80:47) each added goals later in the half. Freshman Anthony Ciccone assisted on Colmenares' first goal as a Terrier for his first assist and third point of the season.

Redshirt freshman Brandon Briggs and sophomore Trevor McManamon earned the team's seventh shutout of the season with two saves. The Terriers finished ahead in shot attempts, 22-9, and had an 8-1 edge in corner kicks.

Goalie Chris Hayen had five saves for the Bearcats (4-6-4, 2-2-2) in the loss.

The Terriers will conclude the regular season on Saturday (Oct. 30) with a visiting Albany squad at 2 p.m. Before the start, BU will honor six seniors - Temi Akinsanya, Ben Havey, Aaron O'Neal, Jack Orr and twin brothers, Matthew Shea and Ryan Shea.