After scoring a game-tying goal with less than two minutes left in regulation and playing one period of overtime, the possibility of lightning threatened to end the men’s soccer team’s match against Bryant early with a tie. Sophomore midfielder Russell Cicerone lined up at midfield to begin the second overtime.
Cicerone’s shot travelled more than 50 yards, over the outstretched arms of the Bulldogs’ goalkeeper and into the net. Cicerone threw off his jersey in celebration and was promptly swarmed by his teammates.
The Bulls (1-3) earned their first victory of the season when they defeated Bryant (1-3) 3-2 in double overtime Friday off of Cicerone’s highlight reel – and ESPN featured – goal. Buffalo fell to Bucknell (3-1) 2-0 Sunday. It was the Bulls’ first two games at UB Stadium this season.
Buffalo responded with a game-tying goal less than a minute after both Bryant goals.
The Bulls trailed Friday’s game 1-0 after Bulldogs’ forward Marco Addonizio scored in the 11th minute. Less than 30 seconds later, Cicerone scored his first goal of the season to tie the game at one. It was also freshman forward Abdulla Al-Kalisy’s first career point, as he assisted on the goal.
With less than three minutes remaining, Bryant took the lead when Lucas Guerriero scored off a Buffalo turnover. Freshman defender David Enstrom ripped a shot to the back of the net to score his first goal as a Bull and tie the game at two less than a minute later.
After a scoreless first overtime, the second overtime began with the same intensity as the approaching lightning. Cicerone booted a 50-yard shot that whizzed above the Bryant goaltender’s head.
The Bulls were unable to maintain the momentum from the energetic win Sunday. They were shutout against Bucknell by the score of 2-0.
The game started with an even effort from Buffalo on both sides of the ball. As halftime approached, the game was still scoreless and the Bucknell had only a 5-4 shot advantage
Bucknell forward Jesse Klug chipped in a shot that gave the Bison a 1-0 advantage in the 59th minute.
Buffalo senior goalkeeper Waleed Cassis dove, but was unable to make the save. He was had six saves for the afternoon.
Bucknell sealed the victory with its second goal, which came off the foot of forward Pat Plourde in the 77th minute.
The Bulls will try to win their second game of the season as they travel to face Niagara (1-3) Friday night. The game is set for 7 p.m.
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*Quotes have been removed from the story due to misrepresentation
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
Photo: Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics
