Soccer Bucs fail to score in 1-0 setback to Polar Bears

FAIRMONT – The Buckhannon-Upshur soccer Bucs couldn’t get their offense in sync against the Fairmont Senior Polar Bears in a 1-0 setback Thursday night in a Big 10 Conference clash.

It was the second straight match in which the Bucs have been shutout after losing a 2-0 outing to Woodrow Wilson on Tuesday.

“I give Fairmont Senior a lot of credit,” remarked Buckhannon-Upshur head coach Mike Donato. “They came out with a good plan to slow us down in the midfield and frustrate our attack. I felt we made some good adjustments at the half to counter that, but we just couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities we were given.”

The lone goal of the game occurred in the first half in the 29^th minute when Fairmont Senior’s scored an unassisted goal from 25 yards out.

The Bucs were outshot by a 13-7 margin and trailed in corner kicks by a 7-0 count.

“Our lack of shots-on goal and corner kicks the past few games show that we haven’t been able to keep the ball in our attacking third and keeping possession there, so that will be a big point of emphasis during training and preparation for our game Saturday,” noted Donato.

Buckhannon-Upshur was called for seven fouls while Fairmont State was guilty of 10.

B-U keeper Slaton Kowalkoski made 12 saves while Fairmont Senior goalie Bryson Doss made seven saves.

With the win, Fairmont Senior improved to 6-2-1 overall and 3-0-1 in the Big 10 Conference.

The Bucs dropped to 4-6-1 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

The Bucs will be back on the pitch Saturday at Brooke for a 1:30 p.m. non-conference contest.