BOSTON, Mass. - Boston University continued their strong run of form with a commanding 4-1 victory over Loyola Maryland on Sunday afternoon at Nickerson Field. The win extends Boston U.'s (7-3-0) winning streak to three matches while Loyola Maryland (2-7-1) suffered their second loss in three games.
The match saw multiple lead changes in a dynamic first half. Boston U. struck first through Andrea Di Blasio's early effort, but Loyola Maryland equalized shortly after. The Terriers regained control with two more goals before the break, including a well-taken strike by Ethan Gill in the 43rd minute.
The first half was marked by Boston U.'s aggressive offensive approach, with the Terriers recording six shots to Loyola's three. Di Blasio was particularly active, testing the Loyola defense with multiple attempts. Jack Endacott received a yellow card in the 24th minute for Loyola Maryland, reflecting the intense nature of the midfield battle.
Boston U. maintained their momentum after the break, adding a fourth goal to secure the result. The second half saw increased physical play, with Cody Angelini picking up Loyola's second yellow card in the 71st minute. The Terriers managed the game effectively, with Sebastian Otero and Pharis Petrica controlling the midfield tempo.
The final statistics highlighted Boston U.'s dominance, as they outshot Loyola Maryland 13-7, with eight shots on target compared to Loyola's four. The Terriers also held the advantage in corner kicks (5-3). Both teams made strategic use of their benches, with Boston U. making eight substitutions and Loyola Maryland utilizing twelve throughout the match.
Several players stood out individually for both sides. Di Blasio led Boston U.'s attack with multiple dangerous attempts on goal, while Diego Rived and Ethan Gill provided consistent offensive pressure. For Loyola, Ryan Andrews and Tyler Tucker showed resilience in attack despite limited opportunities, with Tucker recording a notable shot attempt in the 53rd minute.
Tactically, Boston U. executed their game plan effectively, utilizing width to stretch Loyola's defense and creating overlapping runs that led to several scoring opportunities. The Terriers' pressure forced Loyola into defensive adjustments, particularly after the interval when Boston U. increased their attacking intensity.
This victory continues Boston U.'s impressive form, having now won three straight matches including recent victories over Bucknell and Harvard. The result showcases the Terriers' offensive capabilities and defensive organization, as they've now scored multiple goals in their last three outings. For Loyola Maryland, the loss highlights ongoing offensive challenges, having scored just once in their last two road games.
The match demonstrated Boston U.'s growing confidence and tactical maturity, particularly in their ability to control possession and create quality scoring opportunities. Loyola Maryland showed moments of promise but struggled to maintain consistent offensive pressure against the well-organized Terriers defense.
Both teams now look ahead to their next challenges. Boston U. will host Colgate on October 10th, seeking to extend their winning streak to four matches. Loyola Maryland faces a quick turnaround, traveling to Hofstra for a non-conference matchup on October 7th, where they'll aim to bounce back from this defeat.