Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Niagara
Late Goal by Wolf Gives Bucknell Men's Soccer 1-0 Win Over Niagara
9/23/2007 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 23, 2007
LEWISBURG, Pa. - A sliding goal by senior co-captain Justin Wolf (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) broke a scoreless tie with just 1:53 left in regulation as the Bucknell men's soccer team defeated Niagara 1-0 Sunday afternoon at a warm and sunny Varsity Soccer Field to pick up its first home win of the season. The Bison finally broke through in the final minutes after dominating the contest, outshooting the Purple Eagles 22-7.
Wolf scored the game-winning goal off a pass from fellow co-captain Corey Curnutte (Waterford, Mich./Detroit Country Day). Curnutte was in the right corner and kicked the ball low and in front of the net to Wolf, who pounded a sliding kick past goalie John Fiutowski for the only score in the game. It was the second goal of the season for Wolf, who is now tied with Curnutte and Conor O'Brien (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./St. Anthony's) for the team lead in both goals (2) and points (6).
Bison goalie Joey Kuterbach (Kingwood, Texas/Kingwood) earned his third shutout of the season, and the 13th of his career, as he made three saves, all in the second half.
Bucknell had numerous scoring chances throughout the game as eight of its starters launched at least one shot in the match, led by Wolf's five. The best chance for the Bison in the first half came about 10 minutes into the contest when Anthony Ferraro (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) had a header turned away by Fiutowski. Curnutte scooped up the rebound and fired a shot from the top of the box that was deflected just wide of the net by a diving Fiutowski. Then, off the ensuing corner kick, freshman Tommy McCabe (Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney) attempted a long shot from the right corner of the box that just sailed over the opposite corner of the goal.
Wolf and Nathan LaGrave (Okinawa, Japan/Kadena) also had one-on-one scoring chances later in the game. Wolf's came about 26 minutes into the first half when he took a pass ahead of the field from Alex Russo (Middletown, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy), but his shot went to the high left side of the goal. LaGrave nearly put Bucknell up 1-0 with just over 10 minutes to play after a two-minute flurry of attempts from the Bison, but with only the goalie in front of him, Fiutowski made a diving save.
Fiutowski made seven saves in the contest for the Purple Eagles, who fell to 1-4-1 overall. Bucknell improved to 2-3-3 overall, and 1-1-1 at home. The Bison now have a three-game unbeaten streak.
Wolf's goal in the final minutes marked Bucknell's fourth goal in the last 10 minutes of their last three games. Last Tuesday at Rider, the Bison netted a pair of goals in the final 10 minutes, while O'Brien tallied one during Friday's 2-2 tie against Buffalo.
By outshooting Niagara 22-7, Bucknell increased its advantage over opponents this season to 125-85. The Bison were outshot 346-220 all of last year and have not attempted more shots than their opponents since 2003.
Bucknell, which is in the midst of a stretch where it plays four of five games at Varsity Soccer Field, will travel to Navy on Saturday, Sept. 29, to open Patriot League play. Kickoff for the contest is slated for 7 p.m. in Annapolis, Md. The Bison defeated the Mids 2-0 in the final regular-season game of 2006 to help clinch a spot in the Patriot League Tournament.
