The Boston University Terriers will hear nothing of this falling-out-of-the-rankings talk.
After finding itself unranked for the first time since before defeating Navy early this season, the Boston University men’s lacrosse team fell out of the national spotlight with a road loss to Bucknell. The team didn’t have much time to think about the loss with a quick turnaround, facing Harvard on Tuesday night.
Harvard, ranked #14 in the nation, was riding a three-game losing streak that included a loss to conference opponent Brown on Saturday. However, without top defender Steven Jehelka, the Crimson were looking to find a way back in the win column with a non conference opponent.
The Terriers went into Harvard Stadium on Tuesday night looking to bounce back as well, and a 9-8 victory over the 14th team in the nation was just the third ever program victory over a ranked team. BU held on to a one-goal victory after leading by as much as four goals late in the fourth quarter to improve its record to 7-2.
Cal Dearth scored four goals to lead the way for the Terriers while goaltender Christian Carson-Banister made 13 saves. Carson-Banister made a huge save with less than a minute and a half left in the game when he stopped a low shot from Harvard’s Morgan Cheek on the man advantage to preserve a one goal lead.
Harvard scored just nine seconds into the game when Sean Coleman picked up a tally to give the Crimson an early lead. Harvard would score score again to lead 2-0, and eventually 3-1. By halftime, BU would be able to knot the score at 5-5. Chad Bell scored his second goal of the season to tie the game with three minutes left in the second quarter.
The Terriers came out strong in the second half, scoring twice in the third quarter and keeping Harvard off the scoreboard completely. BU went on a 4-0 run, started by midfielder Pat Myers, before the Crimson began its comeback in the fourth quarter.
The Crimson scored three straight goals, one of them off of a turnover, to make it a one-goal game late. BU held the ball with under a minute left, but after accidentally losing the ball out of bounds, Harvard had a chance to go down field and tie the score with six seconds remaining. BU held the Crimson off and were able to take the game, 9-8.
Myers scored two goals in the game, right behind the four from Dearth, who also had two assists. Brendan Homire and Adam Schaal each also added two assists. Bell, Jack Wilson, and Greg Farris each also got on the scoresheet with goals of their own.
For the Crimson, Devin Dwyer scored four times while picking up an assist. Morgan Cheek also scored two with two helpers.
BU led Harvard in shot attempts with 33 to 32, also dominating the ground ball battle with 42 to 28. BU turned the ball over 16 times with 12 from Harvard. After struggling at the faceoff dot in the first half, Sam Talkow of BU ended up winning the battle with 11 wins to eight from Harvard’s Keegan Michel.
The Terriers will be back in action on Saturday afternoon with a trip to Lafeyette to reopen Patriot League play. With a victory, BU should be back in the national rankings.
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