Houston Baptist snaps Bonnies’ unbeaten streak on penalty kick in double OT, 2-1

Courtesy of GoBonnies.com

EDINBURG, Texas – For the third straight contest, the St. Bonaventure University men’s soccer team erased a deficit in the final 10 minutes of regulation. For the fourth straight match to begin the season, the Bonnies went to overtime.

Unlike the previous four matches where the Bonnies were undefeated, however, the magic ran short as Houston Baptist handed Bona a heartbreaking defeat, 2-1, in double OT.

After Kieran Toland notched the equalizer at the 83:24 mark to force extra time, it seemed at worst the Bonnies would tally their second tie of the weekend as the seconds ticked away.

A foul in the penalty box at 108:02, however, handed Houston Baptist a penalty kick. Dominick Faletto converted, sending the Huskies (1-1-0) to victory.

Sweltering conditions greeted the players Sunday as the match got underway in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.

Much more familiar with the conditions, Houston Baptist came out of the gates strong and was quickly rewarded for its pace.

HBU, members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), got on the board at the 6:34mark on a strike from Dequan Thomas who scored off a pass by Josue Palomino.

The Huskies had several other chances during the first half, but Bonnies goalie Luke Iacobellis kept St. Bonaventure close with five saves before intermission.

Reigning Atlantic 10 Co-Offensive Player of the Week Paul Afful made a bid for another goal late in the first half with a free kick fired right on net, but the Huskies keeper was able to make the save.

The 1-0 Huskies lead held until late in the second half when the Bonnies used more late heroics for the tie.

After earning a corner kick, Afful sent his effort in to Toland who found the back of the net on the back side for the equalizer.

St. Bonaventure (2-1-1) put six shots on goal and had 13 total shots for the night, led by four off the foot of Isaiah Wilson. Kwame Opoku and Nicola Bonso each played all 108 minutes and change in the hot conditions.

Iacobellis finished with eight saves after turning in a strong performance in net.

The Bonnies now return home for their first action of the season at the Marra Athletics Complex. Bona will host Canisius on Friday night under the lights at 7 p.m. and will also host Albany Sunday afternoon in a home weekend twinbill.