Bulls Go Overtime To Shock No. 18 Northern Illinois, 2-1, in MAC Men's Soccer Opener

Saturday, October 1

2 pm

University at Buffalo

6-5-1 (1-0-0)

Northern Illinois

7-2-0 (0-1-0_

OT 1

OT 2

Buffalo

Northern Illinois

Bulls Go Overtime To Shock No. 18 Northern Illinois, 2-1, in MAC Men's Soccer Opener

10/1/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

DeKALB, IL – The University at Buffalo men's soccer team got only two shots on goal against 18^th ranked Northern Illinois but made both shots count as the Bulls scored a 2-1 overtime victory over the Huskies in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams.

Lukas Fedler's header at 107:04 gave the Bulls the victory as he scored off a free kick from Matthew Chereson. It was Fedler's second goal of the season as the freshman netted his first collegiate goal in UB's overtime win over Niagara on September 23. The assist was Chereson's first of the season and the junior's second of his career after getting his first helper in the 2009 season.

The Bulls (6-5-1, 1-0 MAC) scored the match's opening goal in the first half. Maksym Kowal took Nate Woods' pass from the left side and netted his second marker of the season 16:24 into the match. Kowal last scored in UB's 1-1 tie at Robert Morris on August 31.

The Huskies (7-2-0, 0-1 MAC), ranked 18^th in the latest NSCAA poll, tied the match late in the second half on James Stevenson's second goal of the season with 18:53 left in regulation.

UB was outshot overall by a 19-6 count and 6-2 in shots on goal. NIU also had a lopsided 9-1 edge in corner kicks. The Bulls were whistled for 23 fouls to NIU's 19 and eight yellow cards, all in the second half or overtime, were issued to the two teams, five on the Bulls and three against the Huskies. UB's bench was assessed two cards during the match.

"I'm very proud of the boys today. We had a plan and stuck to it," said UB interim head coach David Hesch. "NIU is a very good team and the boys played very composed. Max Kowal scored a great goal to put us on the board early and Lukas [Fedler] found himself open off a set play for the game winner. It was a total team effort and we deserved to win."

The Bulls host Bowling Green at UB Stadium on Sunday, October 9 at 4:00 pm in their next contest.