Soccer aims to set the bar higher

Fifteen years. That's how long it's been since the UB men's soccer team started out this well.

In 1990, in the team's final year of Division II play, the Bulls started 9-0, finishing with a final record of 14-3-1. Currently the team stands at 7-0-0 and is ranked third in the region.

Where Buffalo finishes is still to be determined, but a large factor in that final tally lies in this weekend's competition. UB heads into a pair of weekend showdowns, traveling first to sixth-ranked Colgate on Friday at 7 p.m., and then coming home Sunday to match wills with St. Francis (Penn.) at 2 p.m.

Head coach John Astudillo said the team is working hard and not getting carried away in its current success.

"I think they're staying tough and staying focused. We're watching to make sure they do that," Astudillo said.

The Colgate Raiders (3-1-2) have shut out their opponents twice and allowed an opponent to score two goals in a game only once. Astudillo knows that Colgate poses perhaps the biggest threat to the Bulls perfect season thus far.

"They are a team that plays you very close in close games," Astudillo said. "They've got a good defense and a good offense."

In order to best the Raiders, the Bulls will need to play at the top of their game both mentally and physically.

"We need to have a relentless attack and good, solid defense," Astudillo said. "We have to match their intensity."

St. Francis (1-3-1) has also played in a lot of close games this season, including a 1-0 loss in double overtime at Northwestern.

In their last effort, the Red Flash shut out Howard University, posting a season-high seven goals. However, St. Francis is still not on the level of the Colgate Raiders, and after playing such a tough opponent on the road on Friday, there might be the chance for a letdown at UB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

In the midst of their success, Astudillo said the Bulls are staying grounded, hoping to avoid such a trap, by exercising "respect and good play."

"We're just emphasizing humility," Astudillo said.

Astudillo couldn't be happier with the way things have played out so far this season. He added that he thinks the team's scheduling was well mapped-out, allowing UB to test themselves against teams they should beat before having to match up against Mid-American Conference foes.

Astudillo added that maintaining the team's high level of play hasn't been easy.

"In sports, one of the hardest things to do is beat the teams you should beat," Astudillo said. "Western Illinois was strong but nothing compared to Colgate and St. Francis."

Astudillo gives only partial credit to the schedule, citing all aspects of his team.

The unrelenting offense is led by sophomore forward Lee Catchpole and junior forward Andrae Clark, who are tied for the number one spot for points for both the team and the MAC.

The defense has the strength of an iron curtain with junior Dave Chojnowski, senior Matt Stuczynski, senior Mbwana Johnson and freshman sensation Dan Gwyther.

Astudillo also credits a spectacular effort from his bench.

"It is so important to be able to bring in quality people that are going to help out," Astudillo said.

However, it's not just Astudillo noticing the strong effort from the Bulls bench. Astudillo said he heard the coaching staff of Western Illinois saying they've never seen someone bring so much solid play from their bench, which is led by freshman Dezi Lara and junior Braden Byler.

Although the pressure to keep up their winning streak builds with every game, Astudillo doesn't think an unexpected loss will hurt the team's chances of continued success.

"Is it going to kill us? I don't think so," Astudillo said. "If we lose somewhere along the way, I don't think we'll fall apart. We'll continue to do well."

Only time will tell if the Bulls will continue their success and match that of the 1990 team.

Astudillo, however, isn't concerned with looking to the past.

"During the season, I very seldom stop to reflect," Astudillo said. "As a coach, I'm not paid to be a historian for the team."

If the team's success continues this weekend, the team will tie its old milestone, then no one will have look back to a Division-II squad for the high point of Buffalo men's soccer. The 2005 D-I team's success could become the new standard.