Box Score
BOLIVAR, N.Y. – St. Bonaventure's hopes of making the Atlantic 10 men's soccer postseason suffered a blow on Friday with a 2-1 loss to VCU.
The game that was played at Bolivar-Richburg High School's artificial turf field due to persistent wet snow throughout the 24 hours preceding the game that left St. Bonaventure's McGraw-Jennings Field unplayable.
The teams went scoreless through the first half as Bonnies keeper Jeremy Figler made five saves under consistent pressure.
VCU snapped the deadlock in the 64th minute when Kharlton Belmar knocked in a ball that was redirected off a free kick taken by Nate Shiffman.
Belmar and the Rams struck again just five minutes later to make it 2-0 VCU.
Nick Perillo cut the Bonnies' deficit in half when he headed in his eighth goal of the season in the 87th minute.Â
St. Bonaventure fell to 2-4-1 in the Atlantic 10 and 8-8-2 overall. VCU improved to 5-1-1 in conference play and 10-5-2 overall. While the Bonnies are not eliminated from contention for one of the A-10's eight spots in the championship tournament, they will need to win their final game, which is Sunday afternoon at home against George Mason at 1:00. The Bonnies' seniors will be honored prior to the match.
"Considering the weather conditions, I thought we played very well," said Bonnies coach Mel Mahler. "VCU is one of the best teams we've played this year. We're still in the hunt for one of the last playoff spots and I'm confident in this team's ability to put forth the effort necessary to get the three points we need."
