Bulls Take Down MAC Leader Hartwick

Tuesday, October 15

7 pm

University at Buffalo

2-8-3, 1-2MAC

Hartwick

4-6-2, 2-1MAC

Hartwick

Buffalo

10/15/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BUFFALO, NY – After starting his still-young career at Buffalo as an attacking forward, sophomore Marcus Hanson moved to the back line of the defense in his second season at UB. That is, until Tuesday evening, when his first chance to return to the attack paid major dividends. Hanson scored a goal in the first half and would assist on the eventual game-winning goal in a 2-1 win over Hartwick (4-6-2, 2-1 MAC). The win over Mid-American Conference front-runners moved Buffalo's record this season to 2-8-3, 1-2 in the MAC.

Spurred on by renewed energy and two quality chances in the first four minutes from Shane Satar, the offense broke through for its first goal at home since its home opener on Sept. 1 in the 18^th minute after taking advantage of a Hartwick defensive miscue. A through-ball was played through the back line by Nicolai Berry, and Hanson chased it all the way up to the goalie. His pressure drew the keeper's attention away from the ball long enough to have the routine scoop squirt out of his hands and onto Hanson's foot. He coolly sank it in the net for the crucial early score. It was Hanson's first goal of the season, and second for his career.

"Nicolai played me a great ball, and we haven't had much luck this year but we had luck there and I was able to finish it," Hanson said. "To beat Hartwick just gives us confidence."

In the second half, there was a trio of legitimate goal-scoring opportunities before the fourth chance would be converted. In the 47^th minute, Braden Culver made a perfect cross past the goal mouth, but his teammates were a step too far from cashing in on an empty net. Then in the 64^th minute, Marek Albert flicked the ball over a charging goalkeeper, only to have his sure-fire goal cleared off the line in a controversial call. Albert would test the defense again in the 73^rd minute, settling on the right side in the box and shooting to the low far post, which hit the inside post and flared out.

The second goal would ultimately come in the 77^th minute, when Hanson passed the ball to the top of the box to Russell Cicerone. The freshman forward carried the ball to his strong foot, and went upper 90 to the right corner for his fourth goal of the year.

"Throughout the course of the season, we've played very well in games and not got the result we've deserved," head coach Stu Riddle said. "That was a good conference game against a team that was top of the table and we turned them over. The boys were excellent today. Marcus was a great addition on the attack today."

The Bulls will cap off an important MAC week of matches on Friday, taking on the 23^rd ranked Akron Zips. The game will be part of a doubleheader with the women's team, and first touch is scheduled for 7:30 pm.