BUFFALO, N.Y.— Freshman
Rob Williamson (Fishkill/John Jay) scored his first career goal and helped Buffalo State earn a 2-0 win over New Paltz on Friday afternoon, which clinched a spot for the Bengals in the SUNYAC playoffs.
THE BASICSFINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 2, New Paltz - 0
LOCATION: Coyer Field – Buffalo, N.Y.
RECORDS: Buffalo State (10-5-2, 4-3-1 SUNYAC), New Paltz (10-7-1, 3-5 SUNYAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED- Buffalo State came out quickly on offense. Daniel Aguilar Lobo's shot in the fifth minute looked like it was going in, but the New Paltz goalkeeper made a leaping save.
- Luke Pavone (Churchville/Churchville-Chili) ripped a shot from 20 yards out at 40:29 that bounced off the goalkeeper and off the end line, setting the Bengals up for their first goal of the game.
- Sammy Wasson (Clarence/Clarence) sent a strong corner kick into the middle of the box where Williamson managed to get his head on the ball for a redirect. The header ricocheted off the cross bar and bounced into the net with four minutes left to play in the first half.
- Williamson nearly scored again for the Bengals in the 57th minute, but the goalkeeper was able to make the save.
- The Bengals pushed their lead out to two goals early in the second half after a strong defensive play led to an own goal. Buffalo State sent a long through ball that a New Paltz defender came up with, but Pavone pressured the ball and caused the defender to head the ball over his own goalkeeper and into the net.
- Buffalo State did not sit back, content with a 2-0 lead for the remainder of the second half. The Bengals continued to pressure offensively, just missing out on adding to their lead.
- Goalkeeper William Banahene (Rochester/Brighton) made five saves and recorded his fifth shutout of the season.
- The Bengals finished with an 11-5 advantage in shots on goal and a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.
FOR THE FOES- Goalkeeper John Guzzo made nine saves.
- Tucker Lundgren led the Hawks with three shots.
UP NEXTBuffalo State will close out the 2015 regular season tomorrow with a 1 p.m. home matchup against Oneonta. Tomorrow's outcome will determine what seed the Bengals are for the first round of playoffs.