University at Buffalo
Vermont
Bulls Open Home Season With Draw Against Vermont
9/1/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY - The 2013 home season opened for the men's soccer team Sunday afternoon, and it was another positive step forward. After allowing a tying goal late in the game to the visiting Vermont Catamounts (1-0-1), the Bulls (0-1-1) held tough to draw even with a 1-1 double-overtime tie. Nicolai Berry scored his first career goal early in the first half in front of a raucous crowd, and a physical tone was on display for all 110 minutes.
"We were playing an experience team and we need to learn how to protect a lead," head coach Stu Riddle said. "This was a typical college soccer game, and when you don't give as much as your opponent you're going to end up on the losing side. Both sides gave everything they had today, and I'm really proud of the lads."
As heavy rain began to fall on UB Stadium early in the first half, Austin Place took the ball into Vermont's attacking third and forced a miscommunication between the opposing goalie and central defender. Berry took advantage and stepped in, taking the ball and tucking it away on an open goal to start the game's scoring in the 15th minute of play.
The Bulls had several prime chances to expand the lead, especially in the 48th minute with two point-blank chances from Russell Cicerone and Kristian Lee-Him. Braden Scales almost sealed the game in overtime for UB, but his high testing shot caromed off the top post and was cleared. Each team had chances in the overtime period, but the game would end in a tie.
The game was played at a blistering pace, with UB holding a 20-16 advantage in shots and a vast 9-2 advantage in corner kicks. Added to the offensive chances was the physical tone that would lead to 38 total fouls, 24 called against the Bulls.
"I thought we had some guys who froze on Friday," Riddle added, "so we were debating if we should start some older players today, but at the end of the day this is a building process so they can learn from it and be better on down the road."
Berry led all players with five shots, two on frame. Cicerone added four shots (two on goal) and Lee-Him had three. Waleed Cassis made three saves for Buffalo, most notably adding two in the overtime periods.
The team will go back out on the road for a pair of games, starting at Bucknell on Friday with a 7 pm match against the Bison. Following that, the team will play the Siena Saints for a 1 pm Sunday match.
