Buffalo State’s men’s soccer team shutout SUNYIT in a 1-0 win Saturday afternoon in the Fredonia Classic.
The Bengals scored in the 35th minute when Tony Schiappa fed Kirk Love who split two defenders and beat the Wildcats goalkeeper to score the only goal of the game.
In the win, goalie Ben Spilman recorded his second straight shutout, making six saves and extending his streak to 325 minutes without allowing a goal.
The win also kept Buffalo State undefeated as they currently stand at 3-0-1 this season.
“Hard work and dedication in the offseason has come into play for us early this season” said head coach Rudy Pompert.
When asked about his star goalie, Pompert said that Spiller had, “fire in the belly, ice in the veins,” and that, “he’s getting his first chance to start and he’s making the most out of it.”
A lot of the early success that the Bengals have had this year can be attributed to the experience of a team that fielded 14 freshmen last year, which was evident in their three wins. Last year’s team made a lot of small mistakes, leading to their opponents earning nearly twice as many corner kicks while the Bengals took more than double the amount of yellow cards, according to the State University of New York Athletic Conference website.
Pompert praised his team this year and said he feels they are physically stronger, tougher, and more mature, which has led to their early success.
Spilman credits his own success to the way the team in front of him is playing.
“My teammates are whom I owe all my success to,” he said. “They help out in front of me and make my job that much easier.
“We practice six on 10 drills in practice where there are 10 offensive players and only six defenders,” he continued, “and we have to keep the ball out of the net. I feel that helps us out a lot.”
With all the early success, Pompert said he is attempting to keep his team very reserved because the task at hand has not been accomplished.
“I’m very happy with the success we’re having,” he said, “but the playoffs are the goal and it starts with conference games.”
Buffalo State must win five of their nine conference games in order to make the playoffs, something the team hasn’t done in two years.
The Bengals played visiting Roberts Wesleyan College to a scoreless tie on Tuesday. Spilman made 10 saves, recording his fourth shutout on the season.
The men travel this weekend, taking on conference rivals Brockport and Geneseo on Friday and Saturday.
Aubrey Gilbert can be reached by email at gilbert.record@live.com.