Bulldogs drop heartbreaker at Buffalo Friday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – In a crazy, back-and-forth match which included eight total yellow cards, the Bryant University men's soccer team fell just short, dropping a double overtime thriller to Buffalo, 3-2, Friday night at University of Buffalo Stadium.

Junior Marco Addonizio (Lynnfield, Mass.) and senior Lucas Guerriero (Pickering, Ont.) each scored their first goals of the 2014 season, however it was not enough as the Bulls (1-2) had an answer for every move the Bulldogs (1-2) made, eventually capturing the double overtime victory on an unbelievable goal from midfield by Russell Cicerone in the 111th minute.

Coming off a 2-0 win on Sunday, things seemed to be clicking offensively for the Black and Gold early on when Lucas Guerriero found Addonizio in the box for a header past Buffalo GK Waleed Cassis in the 12th minute to grant Bryant the early 1-0. However, less than 30 seconds later, the Bulls responded when Cicerone put home his first of the match, knotting the score, 1-1, less than 12 minutes into the game.

The two teams stood scoreless for the next 75 minutes until Lucas Guerriero found the back of the net in the 88th minute to put the Black and Gold on top, 2-1. In what seemed like an inevitable Bryant victory, the Bulls answered right back again, this time 59 second later when David Enstrom headed in the equalizer off a helper from Nicolai Berry with just 100 seconds remaining in regulation.

In the first overtime period, both teams had their chances, but it wasn't until Cicerone put one home from midfield just five seconds into the second overtime period that a winner was decided, as Buffalo prevailed with the 3-2 victory.

Bryant keeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) made nine saves between the pipes, while Cassis stopped two Bulldog chances.

Looking ahead, Bryant will stay in Buffalo for the weekend, looking to get back to .500 when they face off with Canisius on Sunday for a 1 p.m. tilt.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University men's soccer team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.