Aug. 26, 2011

Box Score

NEWTON, Mass. - Junior Charlie Rugg scored two goals to lead the No. 25 men's soccer team to a 3-2 season-opening victory against George Mason Friday afternoon at the Newton Campus Field.

Rugg had a goal in each half, including what proved to be the game-winner in the 89th minute. It was the third time in his career that he scored twice, the last coming in 2009.

Senior Amit Aburmad added a goal and an assist while junior Isaac Taylor and freshman Diego Medina-Mendez also dished out assists.

George Mason controlled the pace in the early going but could not cash in on any chances. Junior keeper Justin Luthy made a diving save to his right at the 24:37 mark of the first half in Mason's only true threat. BC took the lead in the 35th minute when Medina-Mendez fed Aburmad, who then beat a defender for the game's first goal.

The Eagles added to their lead with 1:25 left in the first half. Taylor and Aburmad used some nifty passing at the top of the box to find a wide open Rugg, who turned and was one-on-one with the keeper. He put the ball in the back of the net to give BC a 2-0 cushion.

Both teams battled in the second half but no real scoring chances came until three goals were scored in the final 12 minutes. George Mason cut the lead in half when it converted on one of its seven corner kicks. Leo Stolz sent a ball in from the left corner and after an Alex Herrera touch, Paul Andrews put the Patriots on the board.

Rugg pushed the lead back to two goals at the 88:20 mark when he beat multiple defenders by himself on the left side of the box. The goal would be pivotal because just 33 seconds later, Mason's Derek Markheim fed Draymond Washington in the top of the box and he finished off the chance to make it a 3-2 game.

BC was able to hold off Mason for the final 67 seconds to hang on to the win.

Luthy was credited with three saves in match, two of them coming in the first half. The Patriots' Dustin Butcher did not stop any shots.

The Eagles' Sunday game against Fairfield has been postponed due to the threat of Hurricane Irene. The match has been tentatively rescheduled for Monday, August 29 at 5 p.m. at the Newton Campus Field.

Please continue to check bceagles.com for the most up-to-date information regarding the status of the contest.