Late Penalty Kick Goal Gives #8 Akron 2-1 Victory Over Men's Soccer

Friday, October 9

7 pm

University at Buffalo

5-5-3 (0-1-0MAC)

Akron

9-2-1 (1-0-0MAC)

Akron

Buffalo

Late Penalty Kick Goal Gives #8 Akron 2-1 Victory Over Men's Soccer

10/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York men's soccer team (5-5-3, 0-1-0 MAC) put in a valiant effort against one of the best teams in the country on Friday night but fell 2-1 to the Akron Zips. Akron was awarded a penalty kick in the 84^th minute and Victor Souto buried the goal to down UB in front of 500 fans at UB Stadium.

The Basics

Score: Buffalo 1, #8 Akron 2
UB Goal Scorer: Russell Cicerone (9)
Akron Goal Scorers: Brad Ruhaak (1), Victor Souto (1)
Akron Assist: Sam Gainford (4)
Records: Buffalo (5-5-3, 0-1-0 MAC), #8 Akron (9-2-1, 1-0-0 MAC)
Location: UB Stadium – Buffalo, NY
The Short Story: The #8 Akron Zips were awarded a penalty kick in the 84^th minute and scored the game-winning goal to defeat UB 2-1. Russell Cicerone netted the lone UB goal on the penalty kick just three minutes into play. Cicerone now sits in a tie for fourth place on the all-time points list at UB with 61 career points.

Starting Lineups

Buffalo: Alec Fisher, Daniel Cramarossa, Fox Slotemaker, David Enstrom, Russell Cicerone, Braden Culver, Austin Place, Steven Stryker, Nick Forrester, Braden Scales, Joseph Kuta
#8 Akron: Andrew Souders, Danilo Radjen, Richie Laryea, Sam Gainford, Victor Souto, Stuart Holthusen, Adam Najem, Nate Shultz, Brad Ruhaak, Goncalo Soares, Jake Fenlason

How It Happened

The Bulls jumped out to the quick 1-0 lead over the eighth-ranked Akron Zips on Friday night as Russell Cicerone was dragged down inside the 18-yard box and was awarded a penalty kick. Cicerone then calmly buried the ball into the lower left corner of the net to give UB the early edge.
In the 25^th minute, Fox Slotemaker made a great defensive play to clear the ball out of harms way with a big header attempt.
The Zips were awarded a penalty kick of their own in the 35^th minute as Sean Sepe was pulled down inside the 18-yard box. On the ensuing penalty kick, Sam Gainford was robbed by a diving attempt from Joseph Kuta to the low left corner, keeping the score 1-0 in favor of the home team.
After some pressure by Akron in the 40^th minute, the Zips were able to tie the game at one in the 44^th as Sam Gainford sent a corner into the box where Brad Ruhaak collected the ball and buried it in the lower left corner of the net.
The Bulls had the best chance of the early going in the second half as Braden Culver played a great ball over his head to a streaking Steven Stryker who just missed the right corner of the goal, going out of play.
In the 62^nd minute, Sean Sepe had a hard shot turned away by Joseph Kuta, keeping the score 1-1.
Joseph Kuta made a great diving stop in the 80^th minute as Stuart Holthusen broke free and fired a low shot that was denied by the sophomore.
The Zips were able to take the 2-1 lead in the 84^th minute as they were awarded a penalty kick as Richie Laryea was knocked down inside the 18-yard box. On the ensuing penalty kick, Victor Souto beat Joseph Kuta with a shot to the right corner.
Two minutes later UB had their best chance to tie the game as Russell Cicerone was taken down just outside the 18-yard box. On the ensuing free kick, Daniel Cramarossa wrapped a hard shot around the wall and just missed the upper right corner of the net and out of play.

Inside The Numbers

Junior Russell Cicerone notched his ninth goal of the season and 25^th of his career in the loss. Cicerone now sits in fifth place on the all-time goals list at UB.
Russell Cicerone has notched at least two points in five straight matches for the Bulls and he has moved into a tie for fourth place on UB's all-time points list with 61 career points.
Cicerone has nine goals and six assists for a career-high 24 points so far this season. The Michigan native also has a career-high three penalty kick goals scored this season as he is 3-for-4 on his attempts.
The Zips held the 26-6 edge in shots as well as the 15-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Daniel Cramarossa led all UB players with two shots in the loss.
Joseph Kuta made a career-high seven saves in the loss including a penalty shot save in the first half.
Sam Gainford, Adam Najem and Brad Ruhaak led all players with four shots in the victory.

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