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Kaartoluoma Goal Gives Buffalo Fall Classic Title

Juha Kaartoluoma

The conditions were a factor once again today as a steady rain fell to the UB Stadium turf throughout the match. The Bulls came out strong in the first half of the match, out-shooting Central Connecticut 5-2. The only goal of the contest came in the 40th minute when Kaartoluoma was able to head the ball past Blue Devil goalkeeper Paul Armstrong. The play began with a cross being floated into the box from the right-hand side of the field, the ball bounced multiple times on its way across the box as players from both teams tried to get a head to the ball. Just when it looked as though the ball might bounce all the way through the box without anyone touching it, the 6-2 freshman from Finland was able to snap a header past the diving Central Connecticut goalkeeper from five yards out.

Robert Shuttleworth

Neither team was able to find the back of the net in a second half, but the Bulls continued to play sound defense in front of goalkeeper Robert Shuttleworth and were able to come away with the victory. Shuttleworth has now not allowed a goal in over 300 minutes between the posts for the Bulls, a streak that extends back to the season opening match against Fairfield.

In the final match of the tournament, St. Bonaventure and Siena played to a 1-1 draw. Following the conclusion of that contest, the 2007 Bulls Fall Classic MVPs and All-Tournament Team were announced. Robert Shuttleworth was named the tournament's defensive MVP after posting two shutouts and making a total of five saves. Dan Stevens (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) was named the tournament's offensive MVP as he was the driving force spearheading the Buffalo attack to two victories on the weekend.

Dan Stevens

Five other Bulls were also named to the All-Tournament team, they were: defenders Steffen Thoresen (Trondheim, Norway/Kristen Tronderlag), Dan Gwyther (London, England/Woodcote) and Dave Chojnowski (Rochester, NY/Hilton), forward Dan Bulley (Exeter, England/St. Peter's) and midfielder Alex Marrello (Burnaby, British Columbia/Alpha Secondary), who scored the game-winning goal Friday night in overtime against Siena.

With today's victory, the Bulls improve their record to 3-2-0 on the season. Buffalo returns to the field on Friday, September 14 when the Bulls travel to Olean to play St. Bonaventure at 4 p.m.