Bruni's Clutch Header Breaks Losing Streak

LATROBE, Pa – Bethany continued President Athletic Conference play traveling to Saint Vincent. The Bison fought for a full 90 minutes, scoring a goal near the end of the match to force a 1-1 draw. 

The Bison had their first prime scoring opportunity with 25 minutes left in the first half. The men forced a corner, took the shot, and hooked a great ball in front of the net. Without any extra attempt, the ball was deflected by the Bearcat goalie. The ball looped in a high arc, which allowed the Bison to send a bullet towards the net, only to be saved for a second time. 

Bethany's defense locked down the Bearcats throughout the latter part of the first half, not allowing a shot for the last 17 minutes.

For the first time this season, Bethany ended a half outshooting their opponent (9-6). However, the Bearcats had a higher success rate putting their shots on goal (3-2). 

Matteo Pintus continued to have a great game in net. At the 36 minute mark, Pintus was victorious in a 1-on-1 against a Bearcat forward who broke away from the Bison defense. Pintus ranged back over 20 yards to deflect a high shot for one of the key saves of the game. He finished the game with six total saves. 

Saint Vincent scored off a free kick opportunity from 38 yards out. The Bearcats placed the ball just above Pintus' reach in the top of the net to erase the scoreless

Santiago Bruni switched from his defensive duties to apply pressure on offense in the last minutes of the game. The veteran captain made his way down the field near the corner of the goalpost.

 Leonardo Locatelli was scrambling for the ball off a deflected throw in. A sliding sweeping kick pushed the ball toward Bruni.

Bruni swung his head full circle to send the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. That goal knotted the game at one with only three minutes remaining. It was the latest goal to either draw or win the game since March 20, 2021. 

The Bison held strong in the last three minutes to break their eight game losing streak with a draw.

The Bison (0-8-1) will head back to Pennsylvania this Saturday to play the Chatham Cougars (2-3-4). The men's team will be the first to play in a doubleheader with kickoff set for 1 p.m.