Bulls Capture 300th All-Time Victory in Win Over Robert Morris 2-0
9/25/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
MOON TOWNSHIP, PA – The University at Buffalo men's soccer
team captured their 300th all-time victory as they defeated Robert
Morris, 2-0. Despite playing a man down for over 53 minutes due to
a red card infraction, sophomore Lucas Bassan scored the
game-breaking goal as junior Mike Unwin sealed the game with a goal
in the final minute of play.
The Bulls and Colonials played to a scoreless first half with the
Bulls holding a 7-6 shot advantage. In the 37th minute, the Bulls
lost a key element to their defense off a red card infraction. This
forced the Bulls to face the Colonials a man down in the remaining
53 minutes.
In the second half, the game looked as if it was heading to
overtime until starter Bassan re-entered the contest off a
substitution. Bassan broke the game open with the Bulls' first
tally in the 83rd minute off a pass by senior Dan Bulley. The
Bulls' tally came off a long free kick from midfield, which was
launched toward the far post. As the ball bounced between players,
Bulley sent a touch pass to the middle of the 18-yard box to
Bassan. Rolling from left to right, Bassan fired a hard shot to the
left post for the Bulls' 1-0 lead.
In the closing minute, the Bulls' leading goal scorer Unwin iced
the contest. In a scramble in front of the Colonials' goal, Bassan
settled the ball at the far corner of the 18-yard box. Bassan
looking for support, found Unwin at the top of the box. Once Unwin
freed himself from the Colonials' defense, Bassan played the ball
back to Unwin, who unleashed a shot inside the left post.
Sophomore Nick Fetterman recorded his fourth shutout of the season,
registering three saves in 90 minutes of action. "Nick came up big
when we needed him to," stated head coach John Astudillo.
"This game was an incredible turnaround from Friday's contest
[versus Hartwick]. In my eyes it was a character win for our young
men. I, along with the rest of the coaching staff, were pleased in
every aspect of tonight's contest," said Astudillo.
The Bulls ended the contest with an 18-12 shot advantage. Alex
Marrello led the Bulls with three shots.
The Bulls' victory marked their first win over Robert Morris in
four all-time matchups.
The Bulls (4-3, 0-1 MAC) will conclude their two-game road trip
this weekend as they face Duquesne on Sunday, September 27 at 1
pm.