Fans at UB Stadium knew they were in for a wild night once the men's soccer game was pushed up to 5:30 p.m. due to inclement weather. Within the first five minutes of the game, the storms picked up and the rain started pouring down, making it that much more difficult for both sides.
Even though the Bulls (6-8-1, 2-2-0 Mid-American Conference) controlled the second half against the Detroit Titans (7-6-2, 4-2-0 Horizon League), it wasn't enough to pull out the victory.
The only goal of the game came from a miscommunication between a Bulls defender and goalkeeper Ryan Aubrey, and it turned out to be the deciding factor in a dreadful 1-0 loss.
The goal came in the 31st minute and was scored by junior forward Sam Seppo and assisted by senior midfielder Jacob Munchiando.
" We knew it was going to be one of those games that came down to the finish," said Bulls head coach John Astudillo. "That mistake is obviously one we would like to have back."
Astudillo was mainly concerned with his team's patience with the ball and the choices that his players were making in the final third of the field.
"We lost patience with what we do best," Astudillo said. "Our team is based on possession, and we didn't keep it, and that was detrimental to our game."
The Bulls controlled the ball well in the backfield, but when it came down to making smart, precise passes in Titan territory, the Bulls could not seem to execute. The midfielders could have used both sides of the field a little more, which would have opened up the pitch.
The Bulls dominated the box score in every category except the one that mattered most. They outshot the Titans 20-8 and forced Titan goalkeeper Brandon Waterstradt to make 11 saves, compared to Aubrey's one.
Astudillo was especially dissatisfied with the game's results because he feels this was one where the Bulls should have come out on top.
"When you have a game like tonight and that is your outcome, you just have to scratch your head and move on," Astudillo said.
The men in white and blue have the pieces they need to put together a winning squad, but they just need the poise and control on the field in tight decisions. Soccer games often come down to one or two opportunities, and when those arrive, it is crucial to make the right choices.
This loss was the first time the Bulls were defeated on their own field this season, which brings their home record to 3-1-1.
The Bulls' next match is at home. They will take on Florida Atlantic, a MAC rival that shares the Bulls' conference record of 2-2. The game is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of UB Athletics
