The UB men's soccer team opened the Mid-American Conference portion of their 2004 schedule with two losses this weekend.
The Bulls (6-4-1, 0-1 MAC) lost to Akron and Kentucky the weekend after a hazing incident that caused four practices to be cancelled, three players to be suspended, and one player to be hospitalized.
Without the services of Braden Byler, their leading goal scorer, the Bulls were shut out 1-0 by Akron. Following a scoreless first-half of play, the Zips scored the lone goal of the game in the 51st minute of play when Amico DiFranco fired a shot past UB goalie Daniel Bell.
The Bulls registered 12 shots in the game, although only one was on goal. Forward Shyle Braithwaite led the shooting barrage with four shots for the Bulls. Midfielders Josh Antonucci and Defender Cheick Diarra each had two shots for UB, with Diarra's shot being the only shot on goal for the Bulls. Bell made three saves in the loss.
With the win, the Zips improved to 6-2-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the MAC.
Following the road loss to the Zips at Akron, the Bulls returned home Sunday to take on Kentucky at RAC Field.
On a chilly fall day, the UB men's soccer team was shutout again, this time 3-0 at the hands of Kentucky.
The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead when the MAC's leading goal scorer, Jamal Shteiwi, scored the first of his two goals on the day at the nine-minute mark. Less than two minutes later, Kentucky scored another goal to lengthen their lead, 2-0. With the conclusion of the game drawing near, Shteiwi again found the goal, firing a shot past Bell in the 73rd minute of play.
Bell made four saves in the game for the Bulls, while Antonucci led UB in shots with three. Jeff Martinko and Shyle Braithwaite each recorded two shots for Buffalo.
The Bulls have been shut out in their last three contests after scoring 18 goals in their first eight games of the season.
The men's soccer team will look to get back on track and record a win when they travel to Bowling Green University (0-11-0) on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 pm.
