In its first home game of the season, the men's soccer team came up short against a feisty Detroit Titans squad in the UB Fall Classic opener. The Bulls lost 1-0 playing an up-tempo and fast paced match only to give up the lone goal late in the second half.
Having been crowned the 2006 West Virginia University shootout champions last weekend, the Bulls were excited and anxious to be back at UB Stadium.
"We made a big deal about this game," said Bulls' goalkeeper senior Daniel Bell. "We really wanted to win it. We live for nights like this, so it's crushing to lose our first game at home."
Detroit wasted no time in pressuring the Bulls. The Titans forced Bell to make four outstanding saves early in the first half to keep the game scoreless. Detroit had dangerous free kicks early and often put pressure on Bell and the Bulls defense, but were unable to score.
Midway through the first half, the game became a defensive battle as neither offense could gain momentum. The Bulls had a difficult time penetrating Detroit's physical defense as it generated just two shots on goal, both by Buffalo's team captain, junior forward Lee Catchpole.
The Bulls had several chances halted by close offside calls made by the officials and the team was only granted two corner kicks the entire match, both coming in the first half.
"We were a little unlucky in the first half," said Bulls head coach John Astudillo. "We should have scored and we didn't."
With the score tied 0-0 at halftime, the Bulls entered the second half focused and aggressive. Getting to more lose balls and forcing Detroit to commit fouls, which allowed the Bulls to build momentum. Detroit committed 11 fouls in the second half including a yellow card in the 73rd minute. The Bulls out shot the Titans 8-2 in the second half by being more assertive offensively. Detroit goalkeeper Sasha Boskovic earned a shutout by saving both of Catchpole's shots and disrupted plays by senior forward Andre Clarke and senior midfielder Sola Abolaji who combined for 6 shots
"I think when we hold the ball at midfield and attack from midfield, we're very good," Astudillo said. "We need more patience and accuracy in the final third and pull the trigger in the right place."
Detroit carried an impressive resume into Friday's match. The Titans went 6-1 in 2005 and captured the Horizon League regular season title in the same year. Detroit also out shot its opponents last weekend, Eastern Illinois and Western Illinois, 28-13.
Detroit's lone goal was scored by Mark Djurovski, who netted the ball from about 15-yards hitting the bottom corner of the net past Bell.
"We had a turnover and there was one man on the ball and one man open," Bell said. "Our left back and our center back both converged on the man with the ball leaving the man on the wing wide open, He just beat me to the far post."
Detroit continued to pressure the Bulls even after the goal. Throw-ins and free kicks that made their way into the box made it difficult for the Bulls to build up its offense not allowing Buffalo to mount a late charge.
"Towards the end we knew exactly what we needed to do," Astudillo said. "We needed to get the ball to the second and third man and that started to work. They're a good defensive team and put pressure on the ball at all times and force you to make the right decisions and at times we didn't do that."
Detroit moves to 2-2 with the win. The Bulls are now 1-1-1 and have yet to start Mid-American Conference play. The Bulls look to bounce back Friday where they will travel to take on Loyola-Chicago in the first of three straight road games. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
