Heartbreak
Flames lose off penalty in extra time
The Liberty Flames (3-2) and the Buffalo Bulls (6-0) went head-to-head during the Sept. 11 match at Osborne Stadium, and the Bulls emerged with a 2-1 overtime victory.
FORWARD — Tresor Mbuyu runs ahead. Photo credit: Michela Diddle
The match commenced with the crowd standing to their feet for a moment of silence in remembrance of the tragedies that occurred 15 years ago.
Buffalo began the game with force, scoring the first goal three minutes into the game when freshman forward Rikard Lindqvist scored off a corner kick.
Although this set the tone for the game, the Flames did not relieve any defensive pressure on the Bulls.
“They got five corner kicks in the first five minutes and ended up scoring on one,” Head Coach Jeff Alder said. “Once we got through those first five or eight minutes, we were really able to start playing. I thought we took the game to them after that.”
Although the team’s communication was strong, 10 minutes into the game the Flames still had not attempted any shots while the Bulls took four.
Despite the strong, unified offense displayed by Buffalo, goalkeeper James Knoebel blocked a total of eight Bulls’ shots.
With 24 minutes left in the first half, Knoebel saved a shot down the center only to have it rebound toward the goal and save it a second time.
Soon after, with 22 minutes left in the half, sophomore forward Tresor Mbuyu dribbled the ball up the right side of the field and took a shot, however, the Bulls’ goalkeeper Joseph Kuta made the save.
Liberty started the second half with persistent but unsuccessful shots.
AIRTIME — Flames forward Martin Agredo delivered a stunning scissor kick. Photo credit:Michela Diddle
The goalkeeper had not let one ball past him all season until the clock reached 88:24 in the match when sophomore midfielder Kevin Mendoza kicked the ball from the right sideline to Mbuyu. With 1:36 left in the second half, Mbuyu scored the equalizer.
For the final 30 seconds, Knoebel stalled his goalie kick, running the clock and sending the game into overtime.
Neither team shot for the first five minutes of overtime, but instead sent the ball up and down the field.
Buffalo’s senior midfielder Russell Cicerone ended the game with a penalty kick that barely slipped past Liberty’s goalkeeper.
“This is a defining moment in our season,” Alder said. “They talk about character not being built, but revealed through adversity. Our guys showed a lot of character today.”
The Flames next match will be Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. against American University at Osborne Stadium.
Ball is a sports reporter.