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Shyle Braithwaite

BUFFALO, NY - Freshman forward Shyle Braithwaite (Brampton, Ontario/Philip Pocock Catholic) deposited a shot to the left of Hartford's goalkeeper from 15 yards out to clinch Buffalo's 1-0 win on Saturday night in the opening round of the UB Fall Classic at RAC Field.

Sophomore midfielder Mat Wilkinson (Newcastle, Australia/St. Francis Xaviour) headed the ball to Braithwaite with no one but the goalie in front of the goal. Braithwaite dribbled once, then launched a low liner to the right side corner of the goal with 4:34 left in the contest.

Buffalo (2-0 overall) peppered Hartford (1-1 overall) with 20 shots, forcing Hartford goaltender Ryan Carr to make five saves, including two diving saves. In the 5th minute, freshman forward Lee Catchpole (Norwich, England/Bungay) took a shot on the right side of the goal that Carr deflected to sophomore midfielder Erik Jaanimagi (Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta). Jaanimagi fired a shot to the lower right half of the goal, but Carr made a diving stop.

Buffalo also came close to scoring in the 84th minute as Wilkinson took a shot from 15 yards that sailed just left of the goal.

Hartford managed only eight shots against a very stingy defense, led by senior defender Cheick Diarra (Hillsborough, NJ/John Bartam), senior Andrew Butler (Yorkshire, England/Mirfield) and junior Matt Stuczynski (Erie, PA/Cathedral Prep). The Bulls defense has allowed opponents just 16 shots in the season's first two games, both shutout wins.

Sophomore goalkeeper Daniel Bell (Brampton, Ontario/Notre Dame) was forced to make four saves to earn his second shutout.

Buffalo will face Binghamton, a 3-0 winner over Canisius in the other opening round game, in the championship game of the Fall Classic on Monday at 1:30 pm. Binghamton, ranked 22nd in the NSCAA/adidas preseason poll, is led by Charles Darkwah, who had a goal and an assist in the first round game.

Hartford will take on Canisius at 11:00 am in the consolation game.