Bobcats Come Out On Top 2-1 in Program's First Game

BUFFALO, NY - The Bobcats were focused, hungry, and determined, and it was exactly what was needed on Sunday afternoon. The men's soccer team, led by outstanding goalkeeper play from Kevin Williams, and goals from Aidan Byk and Sumali Shamu, won its first game in program history, defeating Penn State Greater Allegheny 2-1 in the team's home opener.

This marks the fourth team sport that has been added at Bryant & Stratton Buffalo since the restart of athletics in 2018, with all four programs winning its first contest. Men's basketball won its first game in 2018. Women's basketball did so in 2019. Men's cross country won its first meet in 2022. And now, men's soccer has won its first game in 2023.

Buffalo was the dominant team, out-shooting PSUGA 17-9 and controlling nearly every minute of the first half. But it was the opening seconds of the second half that saw the fireworks as Aidan Byk caught the goalkeeper out off his net slightly and put it over his head from the midfield line to score the program's first goal and open a 1-0 lead. 

"We came out in a midfield-centric formation, trying to control the game a bit," Head Coach Averick Parker said. "The first half was definitely dominant on our side... Start of the second half, didn''t expect Aidan Byk to pull one from half way but that was an outstanding goal, good awareness on his part to see that the goalkeeper was out and try and have his chance, and luckily it worked out for us. First goal in program history and it was an oustanding out. I don't think you could have a better first goal. There's different ways to score and that was probably one of the more senational ones. Amazing on his part."

Buffalo goalkeeper Kevin Williams was sensational, specificlly in the second half for the Bobcats as he finished the game with four saves, and none bigger than a pentaly kick save at the 53:23 mark. It marked Williams' first ever pentaly kick save. He came up clutch again at the 82:57 mark as he stopped another PSUGA opportunity in the box.

Just minutes later, Buffalo was then able to add to its lead as Sumali Shamu buried a shot from the right wing into the back of the net after some great work in close by Buffalo.

"We talked bout at halftime, in the box trying to take our chances a little bit quicker, and I thought we did that in that opportunity," Parker said. "We moved the ball very quickly, Sumali two-touches, and bangs it in the back of the net."

Both Buffalo goals were assisted by Justin Modeste. Buffalo also finished the game with eight corner kicks.

UP NEXT
The Bobcats are back in action on Saturday, September 2nd when they hit the road for a 1 p.m. match against Penn State New Kensington.

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