LIVE STATS
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - The St. Bonaventure soccer teams will open up McGraw-Jennings field this afternoon with a doubleheader opposite Buffalo beginning at 3 p.m. with the women's team. The men will follow shortly after.
The women's soccer team (1-1) enters this afternoon's matchup with Big 4 rival Buffalo following a 2-0 shutout of Canisius on Wednesday (Aug. 28). The victory provided new head coach Steve Brdarski with his first at the helm of the Brown and White.
After both teams were held scoreless in the first half, Caitlin MacConnell found the back of the net to break the scoreless tie with her first goal of the season. Molly Curry would later add her second goal of the year to provide some insurance as Bonnies' goalies Megan Junker and Christina Sarokon pitched a combined shutout.
Last season, at McGraw-Jennings Field, the Bonnies and Bulls battled to a 1-1 tie. The Brown and White did however claim a 3-2 victory in 2011. Alicia Elwell, now a senior, scored the game-winning goal and also had an assist in the win. St. Bonaventure has won three of the last five meetings.
The Bulls, who finished 2012 with a 5-12-2 record, enter this contest with a 1-1 record. The results include a 4-0 victory over rival Canisius and a 2-0 loss at Michigan State.
Following today's doubleheader, the Bonnies will travel to the U.S. Naval Academy Invitational in Annapolis, Md. where they will take on Towson and Navy (Sept. 6, 8).
The men's soccer team kicks off its 2013 season with this Big 4 tilt against Buffalo.
The Bonnies look to get back to Atlantic 10 Championship play after a two year drought. Despite a record of 5-14 last season, the Brown and White obtained key victories over A-10 rivals. This experienced team brings back nine returning starters including their leading scorer in Brad Vanino. Emmett O'Connor returns to the squad after leading the team with six assists last season. Earlier this month O'Connor was named to the 2013 Preseason All-Conference team. He is currently three assists away from tying the all-time record.
Last season the Bulls finished 5-11-1 going 3-4 in their conference play. After winning three of their last four games the Bulls came up short against Northern Illinois in a win and you're in match. Buffalo brings back only one of five players who tallied a goal from last year.
These two teams met last year on Aug. 28 in Buffalo where the Bulls came away with 2-1 victory.
After this matchup the Bonnies have a quick turnaround when they face off against Little Three rival Niagara on Sunday (Sept. 1) in Lewiston, N.Y.
