NEW YORK -- The Columbia University men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to No. 14 Boston University on Sunday afternoon at Columbia Soccer Stadium. The Lions played evenly with the nationally-ranked Terriers for much of the game and matched them in shots at 11, but BU claimed the game's only goal on an own goal scored by Columbia in the 26th minute.
Boston University had a pair of quality chances in the early going, but were denied by two great defensive plays. A shot by BU's Samuel Appiah was headed toward goal in the 11th minute, but senior defender Ryan Scully was able to deflect the chance over the cross bar for a corner kick.
A minute later, the Terriers had another opportunity in front of net but sophomore goalkeeper Alexander Aurrichio was in perfect position to deny Richy Dorman.
In the 26th minute, BU put pressure on again and was rewarded. A Columbia defender attempted to clear the ball near the left-side touch line, but mishit and looped the ball over Aurrichio's head and far post to give Boston University a 1-0 lead.
Each team recorded four shots in the first half, while the Terriers took a pair of corner kicks and the Lions took one.
In the second half, Columbia opened up its offense and had a number of chances to tie the match. In the 59th minute, first-year Will Stamatis beat a BU defender on the left side and sent a cross into the middle that was directed at junior Bayo Adafin but narrowly missed its intended target. Ten minutes later, senior Steven Keker pushed up the right side and made a cross far post to first-year Nick Scott but the pass was again just off the mark.
Adafin would have a chance on net in the 78th minute, after junior co-captain Peppe Carotenuto made a beautiful flick-header pass in the middle of the field to put him in. The Rochester, Minn., native took a try far post but BU goalkeeper Hrafn Davidsson was up to the task and denied the shot. Davidsson finished with six saves on the day.
For the match, Adafin led the Lions with four shots, while Keker and Carotenuto each had two. Michael Bustamante of Boston University had a team-high three shots.
Columbia will return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 23 as it hosts Bryant in a mid-week matinee at 3 p.m.
