Oct. 29, 2006
BOLIVAR, N.Y. - Senior Kevin Omokhua scored all three St. Bonaventure goals as the Bonnies recorded a 3-2 win over Temple on Sunday at Bolivar-Richburg High School.
On Senior Day and the final game of the Bonnies' season, Omokhua capped his career in style with his fourth, fifth and sixth goals of the season.
On a cold, windswept day, Omokhua opened the scoring in the 24th minute, taking a pass from junior Nikola Vasilev and sending a shot past Temple keeper Tony Pratico. Just five minutes later, Omokhua made it 2-0 when he drilled a shot to the lower left corner of the net after a crossing pass by freshman Samuel Maheu.
The score remained 2-0 through intermission and into the 62nd minute, when Omokhua got free behind the Temple defense and was taken down. He was awarded a penalty kick and made good on it, beating new Owl keeper Bryant Hosler with a shot to the lower left side.
It was a 3-0 match until the 78th minute when Temple's Ryan Heins converted a penalty kick of his own. Heins beat Bonnies junior keeper Ken Lish with a shot to the left corner.
Temple then cut its deficit down to one goal when James Suevo headed in a corner kick from Warren Richards with 4:25 left in regulation, making it 3-2. But the Owls did not get off another shot the rest of the way.
St. Bonaventure's win was its third in its last five games and gave the Bonnies a final record of 3-4-2 in Atlantic 10 Conference play, good for 11 points. The Bonnies (3-12-2) rebounded from a winless non-conference slate to remain in the hunt for an A-10 playoff spot until the final weekend, when they were eliminated.
"I feel really good for our seniors and really good that we were able to score some goals," said Bonnies coach Mel Mahler. "I believe that we've proved we can compete in the Atlantic 10. These last two wins (including a 4-1 decision over Saint Joseph's on Oct. 27) give us a lot to build on for next year."
Omokhua's three goals gave him 15 for his career. He completed the year as the Bonnies' leading scorer with six goals and four assists for 16 points. Maheu ended up second in the points column with 12 on five goals and two assists.
In addition to Omokhua, St. Bonaventure seniors Phil Amahazion, Nilton Brito, Matt Keating and Matt Swider were also honored on Senior Day. The game was moved to Bolivar-Richburg due to unplayable conditions at the Bonnies' McGraw-Jennings Field.
