Men's Soccer Returns Home For A Pair Of Non-Conference Matches This Weekend
9/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo, The State University of New York men's soccer team returns home this weekend for a pair of games after a four game road swing that brought them from Texas to Massachusetts to Rhode Island in a week span. The Bulls will host Lafayette on Friday at 5:00 pm and Niagara on Sunday at 1:00 pm at UB Stadium.
The Bulls had an unlucky four-match road trip conclude this past weekend with a pair of losses to UMass Lowell and Bryant. The Bulls were able to gut out a 1-1 tie to kick off their four-game trip in steamy Texas against UTRGV thanks to a Russell Cicerone penalty kick goal.
ABOUT THE BULLS
Offensively the Bulls are led by two-time All-MAC performer Russell Cicerone who has started all seven matches and lead UB with three goals, three assists and 20 shots. Marshall transfer Scott Doney has had a solid start to his UB career as he ranks second on the squad with eight points (three goals and two assists) while senior captain Marcus Hanson leads the team with four assists on the season. Sophomore Cameron Hogg has made six starts between the pipes for the Bulls and owns a 1.12 goals-against average while making 23 saves and one cleansheet. UB's defense which is led by Fox Slotemaker, Nick Forrester, Alec Fisher and Daniel Cramarossa has been solid all year long, allowing more than one goal only once this season, falling 2-0 at UMass Lowell.
ABOUT LAFAYETTE
The Lafeyette Leopards enter Friday's non-conference match with a 2-1-3 overall record as they tied Fordham, 0-0, last time out at home. The Leopards have collected wins over Fairleigh Dickinson (3-0) and Cornell (2-1) while earning ties against Fordham, Pittsburgh and Bryant. Leading Lafayette's offensive charge is Ben Marks who leads the team with three assists and has also notched a goal for five points. Todd Forrester ranks second on the squad with three points while between the pipes Brad Seeber owns a 0.44 goals-against average and three cleansheets.
ABOUT NIAGARA
Niagara currently owns a 0-6 record on the season as they are coming off of losses to NJIT and Saint Francis over the weekend. The Purple Eagles play host to St. Bonaventure on Friday night. Leading the Purple Eagles offensively is Alex Dimitriu who has notched a team-high two goals and seven shots while Sergio Lujan and Koby Sapon-Amoah each have a goal on the season. In goal, Joel Gerberich has started six matches while holding a 2.09 goals-against average and making 18 saves.
The match on Sunday against Niagara will be a battle for the Big 4 Shield which the Bulls currently have in their possession. The Bulls lost on the road to Niagara last season by the score of 1-0 in overtime but UB holds the 22-14-5 all-time series lead over the Purple Eagles.
