Leading up to their match against Buffalo tonight, UMass-Lowell was an all-or-nothing team: either they won 1-0, or they were shutout and lost by multiple goals. We should only be surprised then, by the margin of tonight's 2-0 River Hawks win, as the hosts scored midway through the first half and locked down from there.
Defensively, at least, Lowell presented an aspirational target for UB, playing a physical, well organized game that snuffed out UB possession everywhere on the field. Buffalo's midfield, so much improved over last year, was unable to play much of a buildup game, and as the Bulls grew more and more desperate Russell Cicerone saw more and more of the ball, as in 2014.
The River Hawks opened the scoring 20 minutes in on the first shot on goal for either team, on a curling ball into the box that was defending from the attackers making the main run but fell to an unmarked trailing runner, who had far too much time to pick his spot. UML had another dangerous chance a few minutes later, but neither team had any further shots on goal - even as UB was able to push forward a bit in the late going - in a chippy first half.
The chippiness carried through, and Buffalo finished with yellows on Nick Forrester, Scott Doney, and I believe Daniel Cramarossa, the most for the Bulls of any game this season.
The second half saw slowly more and more chances for the Bulls, especially after Lowell's second goal came off a set piece and another loose ball in the box none better than Dylan Cope ripping a shot off the bar with just under ten to play, except maybe a Russell Cicerone volley just a few minutes later.
Bull Run New Guy Drew was in attendance at this one and will be offering his thoughts in a video recap, like those John has been doing. Stay tuned to this space for the update.
UB remains on the road and in New England this weekend, taking on Bryant Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM.