NEWTON, Massachusetts - It was a far closer game than one would expect in a battle between Atlantic Coast Conference and Northeast 10 Conference squads, and while Boston College ultimately pulled away late to defeat the American International College men's soccer team 5-1, it was a one-goal game into the 65th minute in the matchup held on Wednesday, October 28.
AIC ends the regular season at 8-5-4.
The Eagles were able to get on the board early, with Dylan Mafong striking at 5:40. That was it for the scoring for more than half an hour, however, as AIC slowed the Eagles attack from there. Alexi Karalis put one in at 39:43, giving the Eagles a 2-0 halftime lead despite just a 4-2 shots on target advantage.
In the second, AIC began pushing up field, and in the 65th minute found paydirt.
Liam Smith fed a ball from the right wing into the box, and after a pair of deflections put the ball at
Paul Espinoza's feet, he dropped a pass to the top of the 18.
Tyler Ferreira ran onto it, and AIC's captain blasted his first of the season beautifully into the top right corner, pulling AIC within one at 64:31.
After that point, AIC took off significant players, and the Eagles capitalized nearly immediately, earning and scoring a penalty at 65:15, and then finishing a tic-tac-toe passing play at 69:53 for a 4-1 lead. Mafong scored both of those goals for a hat trick.
Charlie Pons added the last goal at 88:24 for the 5-1 final.
AIC now turns its attention back to the NE10, and the 2026 Northeast 10 Championship Tournament. The Yellow Jackets are seeded second, guaranteeing home games through the NE10 Semifinal should they advance. The First Round matchup will be against Adelphi University at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31.
