Sept. 30, 2006

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - St. Bonaventure played 12th-ranked Fordham to a 0-0 draw in both teams' Atlantic 10 Conference opener on Saturday afternoon at McGraw-Jennings Field.

The Bonnies entered the contest with a record of 0-8 but looked anything but a struggling team. St. Bonaventure controlled play for much of the day and had several opportunities to score while the Rams rarely threatened. The Bonnies out-shot Fordham 15-8, including a 4-0 margin in overtime.

Fordham lost one man to a red card ejection with 8:28 left in regulation and had a second ejection in the first overtime period, but hung on to salvage a point. The Rams, who are ranked 12th in this week's National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top 25 poll, remained unbeaten this season at 6-0-3.

Bonnies goalkeeper Ken Lish made two saves for his first shutout of the season. His counterpart, Doug Deveraux, also made two saves.

"It wasn't a win, but we do feel like we can play with the best teams in our conference," said Bona head coach Mel Mahler. "Our guys feel good about their effort and they should. All we had to do was finish a play and we'd have won."

St. Bonaventure is now 0-8-1 on the season with one point in the Atlantic 10 standings.

The Bonnies' next game will be against another nationally-ranked team, Saint Louis, on the road next Friday, Oct. 6.