BOCA RATON, FL – The University at Buffalo men's
soccer team captured its first Mid-American Conference victory by
defeating Florida Atlantic, 5-3 on Friday night at the FAU Soccer
Stadium. On the Bulls' first two goals of the contest there
was a bit of déjà vu as junior Rich Wilson scored a
pair of goals off similar plays. Freshman Risto Latti scored the
eventual gamewinner for his first career goal off his first career
shot.
In the fifth minute, the Bulls jumped out to a 1-0 lead off their
first shot of the contest. With the Bulls on an offensive attack,
midfielder Kieron Gradwell crossed the ball over to fellow
midfielder Wilson. Wilson received the cross inside the 18-yard
box, firing a shot into the left upper corner for the Bulls'
lead.
On the Bulls' second goal, it was a bit of déjà
vu as Gradwell found Wilson once again on a cross pass inside the
18-yard box. This time around Wilson picked the opposite corner for
his second goal of the contest, burying it in the right upper
corner for a Bulls' 2-0 lead in the 10th minute.
Off a Florida Atlantic foul, the Bulls continued to build on their
first-half lead. Junior forward Mike Unwin scored his team-leading
eighth goal of the season by beating the Owls' goalkeeper
Ciro Martinez inside the left corner. On the goal, Steffen Thoresen
picked up his third assist of the season.
The Bulls' offense continued to dominate play in the first
half. Off a corner kick deflection, freshman Latti received a feed
from fellow freshman Matthew Chereson. Latti chipped his first shot
of his career over the goalkeeper's head for his first career
goal and a Bulls' 4-0 lead in the 35th minute.
With the Bulls holding a 4-0 lead to start the second half, Florida
Atlantic scored in the 60th minute to cut Buffalo's lead to
4-1.
The Bulls regained their four-goal lead in the 72nd minute on a
counter-attack off a failed Florida Atlantic corner kick. Freshman
Casey Derkaczdropped a perfect pass behind the Owls' defense
as sophomore Lucas Bassan raced for the ball. Bassan scooped up the
pass and dribbled in on goal, beating the goalie for his fourth
goal of the season and a UB 5-1 lead.
In the 78th minute, Florida Atlantic's Darnell King scored
his second goal of the contest to cut the Bulls' lead to 5-2.
In the dying seconds of the contest, the Owls nabbed a late goal
with 11 seconds remaining but it was too late as the Bulls had the
game locked up.
The Bulls held a 12-10 shot advantage with Wilson and senior Dan Bulley recording three shots apiece.
The Bulls (6-9-1, 1-4 MAC) will conclude the 2009 regular season on
the road when they face MAC opponent Western Michigan on Saturday,
November 7 at 1:00 pm.