#17 Buffalo State Tops Thomas College in NCAA Tournament
PHOTO COURTESY OF THOMAS COLLEGE
MEDFORD, Mass. – Thomas College (13-2-4) team fell to #17 Buffalo State (16-2-3), 3-0, in the first round of the NCAA Division III National Tournament on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Tufts University. The win marked Buffalo State's first NCAA Tournament victory since defeating RIT 1-0 in 1982.
With the win, Buffalo State, which earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017, advances to the second round and will face #2 Tufts in a 5:30 PM kick-off on Sunday. The Jumbos earned an at-large bid after falling to Bowdoin College in the NESCAC Quarterfinals on penalty kicks. The winner will move on to the Sweet 16 to face the victor of Dickinson vs. Lynchburg next weekend.
For Thomas College, the loss brings a close to the 2024 season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game opened with promise for the Terriers, as Joshua Joseph forced an early save from the Bengals’ goalkeeper in the second minute. Moments later, David Ivarsson’s shot narrowly missed the left post. Buffalo State responded with a barrage of chances, registering 16 shots in the first half alone and tallying nine corner kicks. The Terriers' defense, led by goalkeeper Jamie Fischer, stood strong, keeping the Bengals off the scoreboard. Fischer made a key save in the 22nd minute, and with two minutes left in the half, Andrew Hodgins nearly put the Terriers ahead, but his shot was expertly stopped. The teams entered halftime locked at 0-0.
The Bengals broke through in the second half, capitalizing on their relentless pressure. In the 53rd minute, Aney Djadou tapped into an open net after a pinpoint pass from Sam Gregson. Just two minutes later, Manu Prieto doubled the Bengals' lead with a well-placed shot assisted by Diego Rivera. The Terriers fought to respond but struggled to generate clear chances.
Buffalo State sealed the game in the 75th minute when Matthew Stasyuk scored his first goal as a Bengal, firing a long-range shot through the Terriers’ defense to make it 3-0.
TEAM STATS:
Buffalo State held the lead in shots (29-5), shots on goal (9-2), and corner kicks (12-2) in the victory.
THE KEEPERS:
Fischer made six saves in 80:39 minutes before giving way to Matthew Gosselin, who was untested in 9:21 of relief duty.
Buffalo State netminder Shae Wirt turned away both of the shots he faced to register the shutout in a complete-game effort.
THANKS IN PART TO THOMAS & BUFFALO STATE SPORTS INFORMATION DEPARTMENTS