High-scoring Bulls soccer takes on Canisius in Queen City showdown

After losing for the first time this season, the UB men's soccer team heads into a Friday night match-up against cross-town rival Canisius with the hopes of regaining its winning momentum.

The Bulls (8-1-0 overall) will have a chance to show resiliency as they take the field against the Golden Griffins (0-5-2) on their home turf.

Head coach John Astudillo knows that his team is the same team that won eight in a row, noting that one loss does not change what they have done or what they will do this season.

Astudillo looks to how the team played in the loss to St. Francis (Penn.), not the final score, and uses that for the basis of his optimistic thinking.

"The quality of play is what you really look for, from a coach's point of view, and I'm not sure that there was a huge quality drop-off," Astudillo said about the loss to St. Francis. "If there was a drop off, I would start to worry. There isn't."

Though Canisius has not won a game all season, this is still a dangerous contest for the Bulls, due to the close proximity between the two schools. Astudillo expects a large and intense crowd for the game.

"There is always interest in the fact that Canisius will bring just as many people as we do," Astudillo said. "That's always something to look forward to. It makes it exciting for the kids to play in front of a large crowd."

Astudillo said that the Griffins' midfield play is their strong point, and that the Bulls will work on defending them.

The Bulls will not change their overall strategy after their first loss. Astudillo says that the team will still play as aggressively as before.

"I think we will come back with pretty much the same (strategy) which is relentless attack," Astudillo said. "Then sustaining the attack, which we can do not only against Canisius, but also Boston University."

The Terriers of Boston University (3-4-1) will pose a big threat to the Bulls. These two teams will meet up on Sunday, and while the Terriers' record of 5-4-1 may not be as impressive the Bulls', their schedule is.

"Boston has played the number-one team, number-two, number-three, and number-five teams in the nation," Astudillo said.

Astudillo said his team would have to play well in all aspects of the game to overcome the Terriers.

"They're a balanced team," Astudillo said. "For us to only be worried about one thing is not good. I think the important thing for our guys is to maintain a good balance with offense, defense, and a strong midfield play."

Austidillo said he anticipates feeling his team has had a bull's-eye on it. Teams get geared up when they play a team that has been winning, and generally play up to the competition. That's how upsets happen.

"Unfortunately, teams pay more attention to you when you're winning. They make a target out of you," Astudillo said. "But that is something we can't worry about. We have to put our energy toward our other concerns. The attitude of this team is great."

The Bulls' game against the Golden Griffins of Canisius will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday night and then the Bulls will then take to the road to play Boston University for a Sunday afternoon match.