AKRON, Ohio – The University at Buffalo men’s soccer team (8-3-1, 0-1-0 MAC) opened up their Mid-American Conference slate with a tough result on the road at #23 Akron on Friday night, falling 4-0. The Zips held the slim 17-14 edge in shots for the match.
Just over a minute into the match, Steven Stryker flicked a perfect header into the box where Russell Cicerone just missed the left corner of the net off the volley.
David Enstrom nearly gave the Bulls the lead in the third minute as he took a long pass from Daniel Cramarossa and rang a shot off the cross bar.
The Zips countered quickly and took the 1-0 lead in the fifth minute as Brad Ruhaak headed home his second of the season off the corner kick.
Buffalo had a chance to tie the score in the seventh minute off a nice corner from Daniel Cramarossa but Austin Place’s header went just high and out of play.
In the 20th minute, Jonathan Lewis had a point blank chance but his boot went high over the net.
Russell Cicerone had another golden chance in the 21st minute as Daniel Cramarossa sent a long free kick into the box where Fox Slotemaker headed the ball over to an open Cicerone who was robbed from in close.
The Zips nearly made it 2-0 in the 37th minute but Joseph Kuta came up with a huge save on Sam Gainford who was in all alone.
Akron extended their lead to 2-0 in the 39th minute as Jonathan Lewis streaked down the right sideline and crossed the ball into Tyler Sanda who buried the goal from right in front, beating Joseph Kuta to the left corner.
Tyler Sanda nearly scored in the 44th minute as he slipped a ball between Kuta’s legs but it hit the post and the Bulls cleared it away.
After the throw, the Zips brought the ball into the box where they earned a penalty kick after their forward was taken down in the box. Adam Najem made it 3-0 in favor of the Zips in the 44th minute as he chipped the penalty kick into the middle of the net.
In the 64th minute, Joseph Kuta came out and made a nice save on the Jonathan Lewis shot from just inside the box to Kuta’s left.
The Zips almost added to their lead in the 71st minute as Adam Najem saw his shot on the free kick ring off the cross bar. Ezana Kahsay then headed a dangerous chance on fram but Joseph Kuta made a nice diving stop to keep the score 3-0 in favor of Akron.
Steven Stryker had a good chance to get UB on the board in the 73rd minute but his shot just missed the left corner of the net and went out of bounds.
Russell Cicerone ripped a free kick in the 81st minute just wide of the left corner as the Bulls were pressing for a goal.
The Zips made it 4-0 in the 88th minute as Goncalo Soares crossed the ball into Macel Zajac who netted his first career goal.
Inside The Numbers
With the loss, the Bulls fall to 1-26-1 all-time against the Zips. The Bulls lone win against Akron came in 2000 in the MAC Tournament.
The Zips held the 17-14 edge in shots for the match while the Bulls held the 6-4 lead in corner kicks.
Senior Russell Cicerone led all UB players with three shots while Daniel Cramarossa and Steven Stryker each recorded two shots in the loss.
Joseph Kuta finished off his match with four saves.
For The Foes
The Zips had four different goal scorers and three different players had assists.
Sam Gainford led all Akron players with four shots while Adam Najem and Marcel Zajac each recorded three shots in the win.
In goal, Ben Lundt made three saves in his sixth shutout of the season.
Up Next
The Bulls will have hit the road for their second straight MAC match on Oct. 15 as they take on nationally-ranked West Virginia. The match is set to start at 7:00 pm on Saturday night.
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
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