On a night where he was honored at half time as a graduating senior, midfielder Mat Wilkinson netted the go-ahead goal for the Bulls, which secured its 1-0 win over St. Bonaventure. Wilkinson's goal came in the 74th minute when senior midfielder Brian Knapp launched a mammoth throw-in towards the goal. The Bonnies failed to clear the ball and Wilkinson was there to knock it home.
"My parents haven't seen me play for maybe three to four years since I've been in the states," Wilkinson said. "It's an honor for them to be here and play like that and get the win. Great feeling."
Wilkinson, who scored his first colligate goal, recorded two shots, both which were on goal with the second one finding the back netting.
"It's such poetic justice," said Bulls head coach John Astudillo. "Matt's parents come in and he puts in the goal, the game winner."
The Bulls (4-2-1) had their hands full in the first half as the Bonnies (0-6-0) recorded six shots on goal, yet none of the shots produced any points. Junior Phil Amahazion led St. Bonaventure with three shots.
In attempts to counter the Bonnies' six shots, Buffalo created near goal opportunities off two consecutive corner kicks in the first half. Like St. Bonaventure, they failed to close. With a monster throw in, Knapp created corner kick like opportunities by launching the ball into the box, but again with no results.
In seven games thus far, the Bulls have not allowed a goal in the first half of play. That trend continued Friday as the Bulls entered the locker room deadlocked at zero.
"I was very succinct at halftime," Astudillo said. "Posses the ball and lets get it through midfield."
The Bulls came out firing in the second half. Buffalo chalked up nine shots on St. Bonaventure junior goalkeeper Ben Nida. Nida, who made four saves in the loss, saw balls come from eight different Bulls, including senior forward Andrae Clarke, junior forward Lee Catchpole and Knapp.
"This year the pressure stays there when the new guys come in, they keep the tempo high," Wilkinson said. "It's a really big thing this year, I just think we have more depth."
The pace late in the second half picked up as two Buffalo players were tagged with yellow cards. Senior defender Kevin Balkanloo and Knapp received warnings from the officials, and senior midfielder Nilton Brito was booked for St. Bonaventure.
With an anxious 385 fans on hand at UB stadium, the Bulls offense pushed the attack and controlled the ball in St. Bonaventure's end of the field. The Bulls' offense was called offside seven times during the contest.
Still scoreless, the game became more physical as the Bulls and Bonnies combined for 14 fouls in the second half alone. Both teams combined for 28 total fouls. The Bulls committed a total of 17 fouls while the Bonnies were whistled for 11.
Senior goalkeeper Daniel Bell saw 10 shots come his way, six of which were on goal. Bell made key saves throughout the game to earn him his third shutout of the season, and move him to first-place in goals against average (0.46) in the Mid-American Conference. The tight Buffalo defense allowed only one goal in its last 300 minutes of play.
Despite out-shooting their opponents in three straight matches, the Bonnies have failed to find the back of the net, producing just six goals in five games. St. Bonaventure played without all-conference midfielder Kevin Omokhua and starting goalkeeper Ken Lish, both of who are out with injuries.
The Bulls are currently on a stretch of five games in nine days and have won its last three.
"Right now we're on tired legs, we really are," Astudillo said. "We pulled off the win and that's all you need, and with a shutout."
Buffalo will play its next home game on Friday, Sept. 22 against Duquesne. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
