Season Opener Highlights
Boston College’s men’s soccer team opened the 2026 campaign on Thursday with a convincing 4‑0 victory over Merrimack at Newton Soccer Field, a match that kicked off at 5 p.m. and was streamed live on ACC Network Extra.
Goalkeeper Andrej Borak earned his fifth career shutout and recorded the first clean sheet of the season, while freshmen Ismail Dia and Dylan Mafong made immediate impacts. Dia struck in the 18th minute for his inaugural collegiate goal, and Mafong added a goal and an assist in the first half, marking his first multi‑point game.
The win underscored the Eagles’ depth, as eight players who appeared in at least 14 games during the 2025 season returned to the lineup. Among them, Jack Burkhardt is the sole returnee who started every match last year, and veteran scorers Russel Brown and Michael Asare are expected to lead the attack.
Defensively, the squad retains a strong backline anchored by ACC All‑Rookie selection Andrej Borak and three of the four starters from the 2024 campaign, including Christian Bejar, who started 17 games. The team also welcomes 11 new members, nine freshmen and two transfers, adding fresh talent to the roster.
Siena, currently undefeated after a 3‑1 win over NJIT on Thursday, will travel to Newton Soccer Field for a historic encounter. The Saints’ goalkeeper Bennet Glinder logged all 90 minutes and made 12 saves, highlighting a defensive effort that will test Boston College’s offense.
The Eagles hold a 2‑2‑1 all‑time record against Siena, having dropped the most recent home meeting 3‑1 in the previous season. Their next test arrives on Friday evening at 7 p.m., when they host Dartmouth, a match that will also be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.