Photo: Jim Pierce
Anytime a team is without its two leading scorers from the previous season it can become problematic. This is what the Boston University Terriers faced on Tuesday afternoon when they had to face their toughest opponents yet in 2016, the High Point Panthers.
“I definitely had that game circled on the schedule,” said Sam Tenney, a BU midfielder who transferred from High Point two seasons ago. “I was really excited to play against former teammates. It was great to come out with the W.”
Without Cal Dearth and Ryan Hilburn, two thirds of the Terriers leading scorers were out. In the midfield, replacing Dearth was Tenney, playing alongside Adam Schaal and Brendan Homire to make up the unit on offense.
Tenney, a junior midfielder, played in every game for BU last season, scoring eight goals in total. With three already in three games in 2016, Tenney has begun to play a bigger role for the Terriers just when they need him.
After transferring from High Point before his freshman year of 2014, Tenney’s role with BU has increased after not starting a game last season.
“I wanted to be closer to home,” Tenney said about his decision to transfer. “I grew up in Rhode Island. It was a great opportunity to join a new program at BU. It’s a great academic school too, so it was a great opportunity.”
In the victory over High Point on Tuesday, it was Tenney’s first game against his former team and he buried two goals.
With Dearth, now a junior, sidelined on Tuesday, Tenney stepped in as a veteran Terrier in the midfield. Homire, a freshman, scored his first career goal while Schaal, another junior, worked on the other side of the field. Nearly half of the team’s total shot attempts against High Point were reliant on the midfield trio.
“I think honestly it speaks to the depth of our team right now.” Tenney said about the team having success despite the injuries. “Some of our best guys are banged up and its really exciting that we are getting contributions from team mates who might not get the chance if those guys were healthy. I think its exciting that we have the depth and speaks to how far we can go this season.”
Tenney scored two goals in a game once last season, against Lafayette, and he scored four goals against those same Leopards in his freshman year.
“Obviously it felt great going back there. I thought I played pretty well, it was a great team win. I’m very happy for the guys.”
