November 17, 2024

Buffalo State Men's Soccer Advances On Penalty Kicks Against #2 Tufts In Thriller

Buffalo State

15-2-4, 7-1-1

Tufts

12-0-6, 7-0-3

Final	1	2	OT	OT2	OT3	T
Buffalo State (15-2-4, 7-1-1)	1	0	0	0	0	1
Tufts (12-0-6, 7-0-3)	0	1	0	0	0	1

Buffalo State Athletic Communications

MEDFORD, MA – The #17 Buffalo State men's soccer team earned a thrilling win over #2 Tufts University to advance to the Sweet 16 in the 2024 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament. After a draw in regulation and two overtime periods, the Bengals advance after having a 4-3 advantage on penalty kicks.

THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: #17 Buffalo State – 1, #2 Tufts – 1
LOCATION: Bello Field – Medford, MA
RECORDS: #17 Buffalo State: 16-2-4 (7-1-1 SUNYAC), #2 Tufts: 12-0-6 (7-0-3 NESCAC)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

Diego Rivera (East Meadow, NY/Cairo Durham) score the lone goal for the Bengals while Aney Djadou (Buffalo, NY/Amherst) earned the assist.
Shae Wirt (Overland Park, KS/St. Thomas Aquinas) was stellar in goal making six crucial saves to keep the Bengals in contention.
David Wozniak (Staten Island, NY/Susan E. Wagner) scored the clinching penalty kick goal to advance the Bengals in the tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both sides remained at a stalemate throughout much of the first half.
Buffalo State got on the board with just under five minutes to go in the half as Djadou found Rivera for the score.
Tufts came out aggressive on offense in the second half tallying 18 shots in total. The Jumbos were finally break through as they evened the score at 1-1.
The Jumbos kept the pressure on, but Wirt and the Bengals defense were able to keep the score even heading into overtime.
Through two overtime periods, neither team could find the back of the net, forcing penalty kicks for Buffalo State for the first time this season.
Wirt made a pair of spectacular saves on penalty kicks to set up Wozniak as he netted the game winner for the Bengals.
Tufts outshot the Bengals 31-8 overall while also having the advantage in corner kicks at 7-2.
Advancing gives the Bengals their furthest run in program history and matches the 2011 men's basketball team, and the 1996 and 2009 softball teams for the deepest run in the NCAA Tournament across any Buffalo State program.

FOR THE FOES