One little mistake can cost you a game. Just ask the UB men's soccer team.
In all the non-conference games the Bulls have lost this season, it can be said that they have made one glaring mistake per game, which in turn has shown up in their loss column. These mistakes must be eliminated when MAC competition begins Sunday against Bowling Green - UB cannot afford to give their rivals any extra advantages.
With a record of 3-4-1 entering MAC play, the Bulls have felt both the highs of success and the lows of disappointment. They are using the experience gained from their previous games to build a stronger team foundation.
"I think we are coming together now as a team, we went through a few hard times.but I think everything's coming together in time and we should be set to go," said senior captain and midfielder Dave Pidgeon.
The team has been able to identify some weaknesses, but more importantly, they have gained some confidence for their upcoming conference matches.
"The first part of the season has served to pretty much convince us that we're one of those teams that keeps every game close," believes Bulls' Head Coach John Astudillo.
Close matches are vital to conference success and defensive strength has kept the team competitive in numerous games.
Since the Bulls are not a high scoring team, they need their defense and goalkeepers to remain strong, a quality they have maintained throughout non-conference play. Senior goalkeeper Brian Wozniak has made a total of 31 saves and junior goalkeeper Chris Vavrina has a 0.77 goals against average.
A strong defense can only go so far, however, and the team realizes that more offense is needed in order to reduce the potential for one mistake to cost them a game. The team averages 14.1 shots per game, but only 1.4 goals per game.
"As long as we keep creating the chances, we'll end up putting them in eventually," believes sophomore standout midfielder Justin Higgins.
Higgins, who has only taken three shots, has two goals this season and both have been game-winners. Senior Geoff Thompson (6 points) leads the team on shots taken with 27, and has connected on three of those for goals. Mike Peplinski, also a senior, has three goals to go along with his one assist and leads the team with seven points.
Following Friday's game against Wright State the team will begin their journey within the MAC. Bowling Green, who was picked to place fourth in the preseason polls but has struggled in their non-conference games, will begin the string of MAC competitors Sunday.
The Falcons beat UB both in regular season play and in the playoffs last year, giving the Bulls a tough opponent to begin with on the road.
"I think (Bowling Green)'s going to be a big game for us. Probably the biggest game," said Astudillo.
"We need to go out there, find our game, play hard and out-work 'em," said Woznaik.
The Bulls will face Marshall University one week from Sunday in Huntington, W.V. Marshall was chosen third in the preseason coaches' poll and returns Byron Carmichael, the MAC's leading goal scorer last year.
UB will then return home for three games against Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, and Kentucky. The University of Kentucky was ranked as one of the top 25 teams in the nation and will play Buffalo on October 20 at RAC Field. Kentucky won the MAC conference tournament last year and made it to the second round in the NCAA tournament.
After the Kentucky match, the Bulls will play their final regular season MAC game against Akron who was picked to place second in the preseason polls.
"All games are going to be hard in the MAC, so we're just gonna have to be ready for each one," said Pidgeon.
The Bulls will continue to look for leadership from players like Peplinski, Thompson, and Higgins to make big plays and produce more goals.
"We need to find the back of the net. You can't win without scoring," emphasizes Wozniak.
Providing the defense remains strong and does not allow the mental breakdowns that permit goals, the Bulls' games will continue to be close.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
