Men’s soccer upset in playoff loss to Geneseo, 2-0
The soccer gods gave the Buffalo State men’s soccer team every chance they could but the Bengals couldn’t convert.
The No. 13 ranked Bengals suffered a stunning 2-0 loss to Geneseo in the SUNYAC quarterfinals at Coyer Field Saturday afternoon.
According to Buffalo State head coach Mark Howlett, his team picked the wrong day to not be on their game.
“Too many people had an off day,” Howlett said. “That’s our game and that’s our sport. That’s why we love to play it. Today, we were on the receiving end of a bad result.”
Buffalo State goalkeeper Andreas Queen made a big save stopping the free kick that was tipped in the 28th minute.
In the 33rd minute, the Bengals had an opportunity to score as Danny Clavin sent a cross over that got to the front of the net just ahead of Josh Beshaw.
Brandon Galanti had a breakaway chance late in the first half but Knight goalkeeper Dillon Medd slid in front to stop it.
A few minutes later Geneseo got on the board after the Bengals’ defenders were caught out of position. Isaac Sanabria was all alone in front of the net for the goal.
Ali Shawish tried to get things going for Buffalo State in the second half with a bicycle kick that went above the crossbar.
Bengals’ forward Luke Pavone had a strong chance in the 69th minute but the shot went off the left post.
It looked as if the Bengals had gotten their big break as Austin Finn was fouled in the Knight box. Pavone, Buffalo State’s leading scorer, stepped up to take the penalty kick.
Unfortunately for the Bengals, Medd chose correctly and stopped Pavone’s shot in the 70th minute.
According to Howlett, every game comes down to key moments and they just didn’t fall the Bengals’ way.
“Any final five minutes of the half or game are always big moments to score and make big plays,” Howlett said. “Missing a penalty was massive but I still thought we had enough to come back and win the game.”
The Knights sealed the deal in the 75th minute when Sanabria found Nick Keneally on the cross who buried it in the net.
Despite the loss, Howlett was extremely grateful for all the hard work the senior class has put in.
“They’ve meant everything,” Howlett said. “They’re the reason were No. 13 in the country and that we were on a 15-game unbeaten streak. They’re the reason why it is so enjoyable for me to come to work every day.”
The Bengals now must wait and see if their resume will be enough for an at-large bid in the NCAA Division-III playoffs.
