"Led by Kowal, new-attitude Bulls end losing streak"

After six straight losses, it turned out all the Bulls needed was a new attitude and a dominant leader.

The Bulls (2-6-1) brought both to the field Saturday when they hosted Albany (2-6) and came away with a 2-1 victory - their first win in the month of September.

Buffalo had struggled mightily since starting the season 1-0-1, scoring only three goals in an 0-6 stretch stretch. Head coach Dave Hesch instilled a new attitude in his team this weekend as the Bulls attempted to break their losing streak.

"We came out in a different system; we came out flying," Hesch said. "We just forgot about the other team. We just worried about ourselves and it all clicked at the end of the day."

The first half held all the excitement and scoring for both teams, as the Bulls wasted no time getting on the board.

Senior forward Maksym Kowal found an opening in the seventh minute when junior midfielder Jesse Andoh made a swift cross from the right side of the field into the front of the box. Kowal volleyed the ball toward the net and past goalkeeper Tim Allen for the opening score.

"It was a relief because we just have been struggling so much in front of the goal," Kowal said. "So the first one meant a lot personally and to the team."

Kowal did not let up his relentless pace after his first goal, as he continued to press Albany's defense. His aggression paid off in the 22nd minute when senior forward Pat Ryan found Kowal with a through ball. Kowal cleanly possessed the ball and struck it past Allen.

Kowal's second goal proved to be the difference, as the Danes scored only one goal, which came in the 41st minute.

"I think it was a great team effort and everybody was working hard," Kowal said. "It looked like we were all a unit today, finally. We bought into what the coach said and planned. We got the job done."

The Bulls edged the Danes in almost every statistical category, but not by much. They had two more shots, but only one more shot on goal. They also led Albany in corner kicks.

Hesch plans to focus solely on the upcoming game. He explained he does not want to look further than Sunday; he wants a second consecutive win that will put the team back on track. The Bulls will play an offensively anemic Robert Morris (2-5-1) team that has only scored four goals all season.

"I think we have a lot of momentum coming for the next game," Kowal said. "I think it should be an easy win for us. If we keep the same spirit, same hard work, we will get an easy result."

The Bulls will looked to end their non-conference schedule with a win against the Colonials on Sunday at UB Stadium. See coverage on ubspectrum.com.

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