With momentum high and a chance to defeat the mighty Akron Zips, the men's soccer team traveled to Ohio on Saturday in an attempt to capture its first regular season Mid-American Conference Championship.
Unfortunately for the Bulls, Akron would not let that happen. The Zips downed the Bulls 2-1 Saturday afternoon to capture a share of the MAC Championship, along with Northern Illinois.
The Zips (12-4-1, 4-1 MAC) netted both their goals in the first half of play to force the Bulls (9-6-3, 3-2 MAC) to play catch up throughout the second half.
The aggressive Zips wasted no time to press the Bulls. Akron racked up seven shots on goal in the first half. Buffalo senior goalkeeper Dan Bell was tested early and often as he made four first half saves, but allowed two goals. The Zips not only out shot the Bulls 7-1, but they were granted eight corner kicks to the Bulls' one.
"We knew that we would have to deal with some real high pressure," said Bulls' head coach John Astudillo. "They overwhelmed us and we lost our markings and some assignments and we just didn't play well for about 20 minutes."
The Zips wanted to put the game away early as both their goals came within the first 10 minutes of play.
Forward Ashley Kozicki, who took a throw-in ball from teammate Jon McCain, scored Akron's first goal in the fifth minute. Kozicki blasted it from about 10 yards out to beat Bell, putting the Zips up 1-0 early.
With no hesitation, the Zips pushed their attack on the Bulls and netted their second goal only one minute later. This Akron goal came from midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic. Ubiparipovic was assisted by Pablo Moreira, who flicked on a pass, allowing for an open shot to the upper corner of the net. The Zips now had a comfortable two-goal lead with 80 minutes still to be played.
With a halftime score of 2-0 and wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour, the Bulls were hoping the Zips wouldn't blow past them in the second half and that a comeback was in order.
"When you're down 2-0, we had to change the scheme a little bit and go more on the attack," Astudillo said. "Our midfield and our forwards played real well and they were mindful, something at the beginning we didn't do."
The Bulls managed three shots on goal in the second half and knocked Akron's count down to five. The Buffalo defense also tightened up as Akron was only granted one corner kick. Bell made a total of six saves in the loss and set a new career-high for saves in a season with 60. Akron's goaltender Evan Bush denied two in the win.
With rainy, windy and wet conditions, the game was physical and fast. The MAC rivals combined for 30 fouls with Buffalo having an 18-12 edge.
In the 73rd minute senior midfielder Sola Abolaji scored the Bulls' only goal and denied Bush the shutout. Abolaji knocked home a rebound after a rocket shot from junior striker Dan Stevens.
Unfortunately, the Bulls' comeback would fall short, which gave the Zips a share of the Mid-American Conference Championship with Northern Illinois.
"I think a game like this is indicative of this season," Astudillo said. "We have had a lot of highs and lows and we were able to stay with a team like Akron. It is now up to the boys to ask themselves what they want to do."
The Bulls are seeded fourth in the MAC Tournament and will host a quarterfinal game at UB Stadium against fifth seeded Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. The MAC semifinals and championship will be played on November 3rd and 5th on Northern Illinois' home turf.
"In order to win the next game you do have to feel the anguish," Astudillo said. "When you don't want to have that feeling again you play with more passion and that turns into a good thing."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
