Men's soccer weekly release
Busy Week For Bulls
The University at Buffalo men's soccer team had one of its busiest weeks of the season with a three-game stretch over five days. The Bulls won the home opener on Wednesday, September 7 against NJIT, 1-0, to begin the week. UB then traveled east splitting matches in the Capital District with a 2-1 win at Siena followed by a tough 2-1 overtime loss at Albany. The Bulls are now 4-1-1.
Tiedt On A Roll
Senior Andy Tiedt had a strong week as he scored a pair of game-winning goals in UB's three matches. His second half goal was the only offense the Bulls needed in Wednesday's 1-0 win over NJIT. He then netted another game-winner in the 51st minute against Siena as the Bulls held on for a 2-1 victory over the Saints on Friday. Tiedt took over the team scoring lead and tops the squad with three goals and seven points.
Latti Dishes It Out
Junior Risto Latti collected all three of his assists for the season in UB's wins over NJIT and Siena. Latti had a two assist afternoon at Siena as his passes led to both of the Bulls' goals. Latti sent a 20-yard pass toward Andy Tiedt late in the NJIT contest as Tiedt netted the game-winner over the Highlanders. The assist was his first since the 2009 season. Latti leads the Bulls with the three helpers.
DiVirgilio Cracks The Starting Lineup
Freshman Vinny DiVirgilio earned his first career start in the Siena match and did not disappoint. Virgillio netted UB's opening goal in the 30th minute of the contest with the Saints. DiVirgilio moved left to right across the box and fired the shot past Siena goalkeeper Jack Binks to give the Bulls the 1-0 edge. Patrick Ryan and Risto Latti were credited with assists on the goal. Interim head coach David Hesch commented after the match, "Vinny DiVirgilio scored a world class goal. He's been playing for me and [assistant coach] Jimmy [Hesch] at Black Watch Premier for five years and I had total confidence in him."
High Colorado
After their three-match, five-day stretch, the Bulls will have some time to rest before their next road trip. UB travels to Colorado for a pair of matches this weekend as the Bulls face the University of Denver on Friday, September 16 and the Air Force Academy on Sunday, September 18. The Bulls have never faced the Pioneers or Falcons in men's soccer play. Denver, ranked 20th nationally, fell on Sunday to sixth-ranked Indiana in a tournament at Notre Dame. Air Force (3-1) won a pair of matches in Pittsburgh over the weekend to claim the Pitt/Nike Invitational, downing Duquesne, 3-2, on Sunday. The Falcons host the College of Charleston on Friday prior to the contest with the Bulls.