ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure men's soccer team (4-8-3; 0-3-2 Atlantic 10 Conference) and visiting Massachusetts (4-10-2; 2-2-2 A-10) battled to a scoreless double-overtime tie Sunday afternoon at McGraw-Jennings Field.
Both teams got off to a furious pace on the soggy pitch as the clubs combined for 13 shots in the opening 20 minutes – seven to UMass and six to St. Bonaventure. Bona's best chance came about five minutes into the contest as senior Joshua Gonsalves lifted an uncontested shot high over the crossbar from about eight yards out.
Following the opening 20 minutes, action settled down as the Minutemen closed the first half with a 10-8 shot advantage. Both teams put two of those attempts on frame, with each goalkeeper equal to the challenges.
Thirteen fouls and two yellow cards – one for each side – highlighted a chippy second half which saw the end of regulation finish with each side having attempted 16 shots in the game.
Another yellow card was issued, this time to UMass, in the first overtime session, and despite a few good scoring opportunities by both sides in the overtime sessions, neither was able to convert and each teamed picked up its second league tie of the campaign.
Bona keeper Mitchell Mack made four saves en route to his third shutout of the season. On the other side of the field, Shane Curran-Hays stopped six Bonaventure shots for his fourth blanking of the year.
"In lieu of what's happened in our last three conference games (all losses), to shut out an opponent is a real positive for us to build on," head coach Mel Mahler said. "It was a typical conference match; we created chances, they created chances, but it was an afternoon of missed quality chances. At the end of the day we're still on the outside looking in for a postseason shot. We performed today to a level we're more capable of, and having said that we just need to continue to work to get better."
St. Bonaventure returns to action next Friday and Sunday when it concludes its home schedule against Saint Joseph's and Temple, respectively. Kickoff on Friday against the Hawks is slated for 3 p.m. from McGraw-Jennings Field.
Game Notes: Sophomore Daniel Iannacito attempted four shots, three of which went on net … the Bonnies out-cornered the Minutemen, 6-5 … UMass was whistled for 14 fouls, while Bonaventure committed 10 … Gonsalves was issued a yellow card for St. Bonaventure, while Matt Keys received a yellow for UMass during regulation and Zach Miller received the yellow during the first overtime period … the Minutemen outshot the Bonnies, 23-21.
