ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure men's soccer team (2-8) defeated Siena (4-5) Sunday afternoon 1-0 in a rainy and physical match.

The Bonnies controlled the field for much if the first half and early in the second half. While SBU was able to get off 10 shots in the first half, it was relatively unable to generate any threatening chances to score.

SBU Junior Kaine Moar had a ball deflected off the keepers hands and just over the cross bar in the seventh minute but that was as close as either team would come to scoring in the first half.

The Bona defense led by walk-on goalkeeper Abel Bautista allowed Siena to get off just four shots in the first half.

It became apparent that this match would be a physical one as well when the foul tally was at 16 already at halftime.

Once the second half got underway, the Bonnies were unable to sustain any offensive pressure. Siena was able to force three corner kicks in the first five minutes but were unable to capitalize.

Bautista would make six saves just in the second half and eight overall to ultimately preserve the shutout, his second since taking over in goal Sept. 16.

The cards started to roll in late in the second half as both teams picked up the physicality in an effort to gain an advantage. Tom Allen of Siena picked up the second yellow card of the game in the 75th minute. Then just over a minute later, SBU defender Garrett Pasono picked up a hard red card for fighting. This would force the Bonnies to play a man down for the remainder of the contest. The SBU bench would receive a card as well in the aftermath. 

In the 79th minute it was SBU forward and Ajax, Ontario native Emmett O'Connor who would generate the best scoring chance of the day for the Bonnies. O'Conner worked the ball down the left sideline before using some fancy footwork to beat his defender on the end line and push his way into the box before being taken down by a Siena defender. The Bonnies would be awarded a penalty kick for the foul in the box. Junior Brad Vanino would take the kick and capitalize for his second goal of the 2012 season, giving the Bonnies the late 1-0 lead.

Siena would generate a couple more chances in the closing minutes but nothing overly threatening as the Bonnies defense stayed strong to preserve the victory.

"It wasn't pretty" said SBU head coach Mel Mahler "but I'm proud of how we held it together and found a way to win."

The Bonnies begin Atlantic 10 conference play on Friday (Oct. 5) at Temple. Kickoff is currently scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

GAME NOTES: The Bonnies were outshot 18-15. Siena attempted nine corner kicks to SBU's one. Abel Bautista made eight saves while 6 foot 7 Siena Goalkeeper Damian Liesemann needed to make just one save. Siena committed 17 fouls while the Bonnies committed 15. In all five cards were handed out. Siena received three yellow cards. SBU received two yellow cards and one red card.