Lynchberg, Va, – The nations leading scorer, Russell Cicerone helped the university at Buffalo men’s soccer team (6-0-0, 0-0-0 MAC) stay unbeaten as he netted his NCAA-leading eighth goal of the season in overtime to help the Bulls improve to 6-0-0 with a 2-1 overtime victory over Liberty on Sunday. Cicerone’s game-winner was his team-leading second game-winner of the season as UB has their best start to a season since they started 8-0 in 2005.
The Bulls broke through for the first goal of the match in the third minute as freshman Rikard Lindqvist gathered the corner kick and netted his third goal of the season into the upper right corner of the net. In the 14th minute, Shalom Dutey headed a shot towards the goal that was saved by Joseph Kuta. Joseph Kuta then made a pair of saves in the 21st minute to preserve the 1-0 lead by the Bulls. Braden Scales had a chance to make it 2-0 in the 28th minute but his shot was saved by James Knoebel.
The Bulls were awarded a penalty kick in the 37th minute of action but Russell Cicerone’s right-footed attempt was saved by a sprawling James Knoebel. After a yellow card by Liberty, Braden Scales almost made it 2-0 but his hard shot rang off the cross bar and was cleared out by the Liberty defense. In the 62nd minute, Joseph Kuta made a big save on Martin Agredo to preserve the 1-0 lead.
After exchanging some chances, the Flames broke through with the game-tying goal in the 89th minute as Kevin Mendoza sent a free kick into the box where Tresor Mbuyu headed home his third of the season. With under a minute left, Rikard Lindqvist had a great chance but his shot went just wide as the game went to overtime.
The Liberty Flames had the first shot of the overtime in the 96th minute but Joseph Kuta came up with the big save on Tresor Mbuyu’s shot. The Bulls were then able to earn a penalty kick in the 99th minute of play and Russell Cicerone wouldn’t miss this time around, netted the ball into the back of the net for his nation-leading eighth of the season.
With the win, the Bulls improve to 6-0 on the season, their best start to a season in program history. The Bulls also improve to 3-0 on the road for the first time since 2005. Russell Cicerone now leads the nation in goals (8) and points (21) while also leading the MAC with 34 shots through six matches.
Head Coach Stu Riddle said, “It was an incredible performance when you consider the heat and it being our second game of the weekend. We were disappointed to concede a goal so late in the game but showed incredible character to get the win in overtime and move to 6-0 on the year.”
Up Next
The Bulls will play a pair of road matches next week as they travel to Big 4 foe Niagara at 7 p.m. Thursday. Buffalo will then head down to the sunshine state for a showdown with South Florida on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
