Boston College Athletics
Boston College
Connecticut
No. 12 Men's Soccer Clinches Postseason Berth
October 20, 2004 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 20, 2004
In a premier matchup between the two top teams in New England, Boston College defended its number-one regional ranking and overcame its recent road woes to defeat the University of Connecticut, 2-0, on Wednesday night.
Sophomore goalkeeper Issey Maholo turned in another stellar performance in net for the No. 12 Eagles (10-3-0, 6-3-0). Maholo, who was honored as BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week for the fourth time this season on Monday, recorded his eighth shutout of the year while notching two saves. He is now tied for third on the school's all-time record list for shutouts in a single season.
Senior co-captain Pat Haggerty once again led a brilliant defensive effort for the Eagles, who have allowed the fewest goals in the conference with six. BC allowed just five shots in the contest and held UConn leading scorer Chukwudi Chijindu without a shot. The No. 21 Huskies (7-5-2, 3-2-1) were able to muster just one shot in the opening half.
Haggerty also headed in the game-winner for BC after freshman midfielder Johann Helgason lofted the ball into the box in the 25th minute. It was Haggerty's fifth goal of the season.
The Eagles dominated the game offensively as well, notching 10 shots in the game. Freshman forward Charlie Davies added to his team-leading total of 38 shots with four in the contest.
Junior Mario Nicholas added an insurance goal for BC with about seven minutes remaining on a feed from Davies. The Eagles' leading scorer drew two defenders on the left and flipped the ball to the right side, finding an open Nicholas, who notched his first career goal and gave BC a two-goal lead.
The win was the Eagles' fourth over a ranked opponent this season and guaranteed the team a berth in the BIG EAST Tournament, which begins the first weekend of November.
Boston College will play its last regular-season conference game against Georgetown when it travels to the nation's capital on Saturday afternoon.
