Courtesy of GoBonnies.com
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The St. Bonaventure University men’s soccer team defeated the George Washington Colonials, 1-0, in the final home match at the Marra Athletics Complex Wednesday afternoon.
The game’s lone goal came from Bonaventure Akinlosotu just after the start of the second half. The Bona keeper Alex Olday made a game-saving stop on a penalty kick midway through the second half to hold the 1-0 lead.
At the 45:35 mark, Akinlosotu busted down the left side ofthe field with the ball and a defender playing close. Once he made his way into the box, the defender made a play on the ball, but Akinlosotu won it back and fired a shot on goal that beat the keeper. The goal served as the redshirt junior’s second of his career.
Up 1-0, a St. Bonaventure defender was whistled for a hand ball inside the box. Reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Week Garrett Heine stepped in to take the penalty kick, one-on-one with Olday. Heine’s attempt went low toward the left post, and Olday made a diving save, fully extended to his right. He let off a short rebound, but safely corralled it to hold off Heine’s follow up and preserve the 1-0 lead that would eventually serve as the final score.
The Bonnies entered the day in a four-way tie for fourth place with seven points, while George Washington came in with eight points. The win gives St. Bonaventure 10 total points. Saint Louis entered the day in first place with 12 points, while UMass had the next highest point total behind the Bonnies and company with five.
The Bonnies outshot the Colonials, 13-12. Olday saved all five of the George Washington attempts that went on net.
Paul Afful led the way with four shots while Kieran Toland and Akinlosotu fired three apiece. Jacob Dyck chipped in two, and Isaiah Wilson shot one time.
Olday earned his second win of the season in his fifth game of action. His last start came on Sept. 24 against Marist. Both of his wins have come as cleansheets.
This afternoon’s game was just the fifth contest in which Akinlosotu has played. He has now played in three games in a row, and saw significant minutes today after playing a major role in the Bona offense against Dayton (Oct. 15), firing two shots.
Having completed its home schedule, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies will be on the road for their final three games. They will now head to Saint Louis to take on the first-place Billikens on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. EST.
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