AMHERST, Mass.-- Boston University, which received and at-large bid to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship, dropped a 2-1 decision at Massachusetts Friday. America East Champion Vermont plays at Dartmouth in another NCAA Championship game Saturday at 2:30 p.m. It is the first time since 1996 that America East has placed multiple teams in the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship.
Derek Puerta's goal in the 87th minute cut the UMass lead to 2-1 and the Terriers had several other scoring chances in the final minutes. Boston University almost evened the score with 40 seconds left when Andrej Bjegovic's shot hit the post. Less than 10 seconds later, a shot by Dan Schultz was saved by Zack Simmons, who made five stops for the Minutemen. Shaun Taylor's last bid to score was blocked with three seconds left and time expired for the Terriers, 9-7-4.
UMass, 14-7-1, had built a 2-0 lead on goals by Stuart Amick (24th minute) and Michael Jejna (67th minute). Hrafn Davidsson made three saves for the Terriers.