ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure University men's soccer team earned a point in the Atlantic 10 standings by drawing with Fordham, 1-1, in a game that began Saturday night and finished Sunday afternoon at the Marra Athletics Complex.
The two teams began play Saturday evening, but play was suspended in the 32nd minute due to lightning in the area, forcing play to be suspended following a nearly three-hour delay.Â
St. Bonaventure goalkeeper Nicolas Pucci was tested early in the contest, making a save in the fourth minute to prevent Fordham from taking control.Â
Andres Javitt had chances in the fifth and ninth minutes to put the Bonnies on the board, but both of his shots sailed just high of the net.
In the 18th minute, Pucci was tested again, diving to his right to make a save on Ede Gramberg's chance.
The Bonnies (2-4-2, 0-0-1 A-10) looked to get the opening goal in the 29th minute. Callum Shillington's shot, however, was touched just over the bar by Fordham goalkeeper Carter Abbott. Soon after, thunderstorms rolled into the area and the game was suspended overnight.Â
When play resumed Sunday morning, the two sides battled the rest of the first half, entering halftime scoreless.
Umechi Akuazaoku was taken down in the box in the 53rd minute, winning a penalty kick for the Bonnies. The senior's shot, however, was high over the bar.
In the second half Sunday, Pucci made a pair of key saves in the 59th and 64th minutes, keeping the Rams (3-2-3, 0-0-1 A-10) off the scoreboard and preserving the shutout.
Javitt and Mo Tall tried breaking the tie in the 81st and 87th minutes, but were not able to come away with the go ahead goal.
Javitt paced the Bonnies with four shots while Rashid Aroza added a pair.
Pucci registered four saves en route to his first shutout of the season and the third of his career.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH KWAME ODURO
"It is more difficult than people think to play a little bit of the game, go to sleep, come back and then play an hour of a game. I thought we battled hard and to get a clean sheet against a top team like Fordham. I think it says a lot about how we are improving as a team."
"When you can't get a win, you must get something. We can't be satisfied. You always want to win at home, but it was not a loss and it was a clean sheet. If you don't concede, you don't lose."
UP NEXT
The Bonnies wrap up a three-game homestand Tuesday, Sept. 24 when they host Robert Morris. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m. at the Marra Athletics Complex.
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