Boston University hosted a No. 1-ranked team for the first time in program history, and the Terriers doubled down on history by defeating Army 14-9 in a Patriot League game Friday night at Nickerson Field.
The Black Knights came in 7-0, their best start since they went 9-0 and won the USILA national championship in 1958. They’re ranked No. 1 in the USILA coaches and Inside Lacrosse media polls and No. 2 in the USA Lacrosse Division I Men’s Top 20.
But BU’s 10-man ride and goalie Will Barnes (14 saves) confounded Army, neutralizing a team that came in averaging more than 15 goals per game. The Black Knights had 17-9 edge on faceoffs but failed on five clears (15-for-20) and committed 14 turnovers.
All-American long pole Roy Meyer was especially disruptive and scooped his seventh ground ball in traffic after a Barnes save with a minute and a half remaining to seal the win.
Defenseman Dane DeGoler added three ground balls and even jumped in goal to stop a wide-open shot by Army’s Jacob Morin in the fourth quarter.
The Terriers led from start to finish, jumping out to a 4-0 lead and never relenting. Army pulled to within two goals on multiple occasions, including on Reese Burek’s goal that made it 11-9 with 5:05 remaining.
But BU answered 75 seconds later, as Jake Cates finished a Vince D’Alto feed from behind. Then Brenden Kelly and Tommy Bourque scored 34 seconds apart to put the game out of reach.
Louis Perfetto (one goal, three assists) and Bourque (three goals, one assist) led the Terriers with four points apiece while Kelly netted his second straight hat trick.
BU improved to 6-2, 3-1 in Patriot League play. Army fell to 7-1, 3-1.
This is the Terriers' second top-five win and fourth top-10 win in program history. BU previously beat No. 2 Loyola in 2019. The Terriers also defeated Army when the Black Knights were ranked No. 9 in the 2023 regular season finale and topped No. 10 Bucknell in the 2018 Patriot League quarterfinals.
Army’s loss leaves Quinnipiac as the only unbeaten team remaining in Division I.
