Men’s Soccer Makes Historic Run to NCAA Sweet 16
16 wins sets program record for victories in a single season
The Buffalo State men’s soccer team authored one of its finest seasons in program history with a 16-3-4 record (7-1-1 SUNYAC), which set a new program standard for wins in a single season. The Bengals squad reached the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) championship game for the first time since 1984 and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. Buffalo State also earned a #17 national ranking—and a #1 ranking in Region III—in the final United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III men’s soccer polls.
In the NCAA Tournament, the Bengals knocked off Thomas College (Waterville, Maine), 3-0, and then shocked #2-ranked Tufts University (Medford, Massachusetts), 4-3 on penalty kicks, to advance to the Sweet 16 for the first time in team history. Reaching that point also matched the 2011 men’s basketball team and the 1996 and 2009 softball teams for the furthest any Buffalo State athletics team has reached in modern NCAA Tournament play. The dream season ended with a 2-0 loss to #6-ranked Dickinson College (Carlisle, Pennsylvania).
Postseason Thrills
Coming off an 11-5-3 campaign in 2023 and led by returning superstars Diego Rivera and Manu Prieto, the Bengals entered the 2024 season with high expectations. And they delivered, going undefeated in their first 14 games—with 13 wins, one tie, and eight shutouts. A 1-1 tie against #20-ranked Cortland in the penultimate game of the regular season would prepare the Bengals for the coming gauntlet of postseason play.
In the SUNYAC Tournament semifinals, the Bengals played host to New Paltz and bested the Hawks, 2-1, on the strength of goals by Rivera and Sam Gregson. Three days later, on November 9, Buffalo State squared off with Cortland for the conference championship. After a scoreless first half, the Red Dragons exploded for a pair of goals in the first five minutes of the second stanza and glided to a 3-1 win on Coyer Field.
Buffalo State would have to wait two long days for the official announcement that the team was awarded an at-large bid to the 2024 NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament. The Bengals were pooled with Tufts, Thomas, and Westfield State for opening round games in Medford.
In the first round on November 16, Buffalo State matched up against the Thomas Terriers (13-1-1), who automatically qualified for the tournament by winning their conference championship. Neither team was able to tally a goal in the first half, but the Bengals dominated play in the second half with goals by Aney Djadou, Prieto, and Matthew Stasyuk. Goalie Shae Wirt needed to make just two saves for the win, as Buffalo State’s stifling defense limited the Terriers to five total shots.
In the second round on the following day, Buffalo State faced a taller task—trying to beat Tufts, the nation’s #2-ranked team, who was playing with home-field advantage. The sides remained at a stalemate through much of the first half until Buffalo State struck first with just under five minutes to go in the half as Djadou found Rivera for a score. Tufts came out aggressive on offense in the second half, tallying 18 shots in the half and breaking through to even the score at 1-1 and force overtime. Through two overtime periods, neither team could find the back of the net, resulting in penalty kicks for Buffalo State for the first time this season.
The Bengals then earned a thrilling victory, advancing to the Sweet 16 by virtue of a 4-3 advantage on penalty kicks. Wirt made a pair of spectacular saves to set up David Wozniak’s game winner for the Bengals.
On November 23, the Bengals traveled to Dickinson to battle the Red Devils. Although the Bengals outshot their opponent by a narrow 13-12 margin, the host team scored twice in the latter stages of the second half to curtail Buffalo State’s magical run.
Buffalo State scored its most goals (57), assists (44), and total points (158) in a season since at least 2006. Wirt also put his name in Buffalo State history with ten shutouts in goal, matching Andreas Queen (2017) for the program record. Head coach Francesco Cardillo moved himself into third on the all-time wins list at Buffalo State with 70 wins; only trailing Rudy Pompert who collected 80 wins, and Buffalo State Hall of Famer Fred Hartrick who collected 150 wins. Cardillo also currently holds the highest winning percentage with a .603 clip.
Accolades All Around
Buffalo State’s historic season generated an equally historic number of accolades, including two All-Americans, three All-Regions picks, the All-Region Coaching Staff of the Year, an Academic All-District Team selection, the SUNYAC Offensive Player of the Year, eight All-SUNYAC selections, and the SUNYAC Coaching Staff of the Year.
Rivera and Prieto Earn All-America Honors
The United Soccer Coaches named their NCAA Division III All-America teams with Rivera earning First Team All-America honors and Prieto earning Second Team All-America honors. The duo gives Buffalo State its first All-American selections from men’s soccer since Luke Pavone and Devonte Black in 2017. Prior to that, no Bengal from the men’s soccer program had earned All-American status since 1984.
Rivera tallied 44 points on 18 goals and eight assists while starting every game for Buffalo State. The junior also posted two game winning goals and a pair of hat tricks. Prieto, the senior team captain, set the program record for most assists in a single season with 17, which also led the nation, while also adding 10 goals for 37 points on the year.
Three Earn All-Region Honors
The United Soccer Coaches named their NCAA Division III All-Region teams with three Bengals earning recognition: Rivera and Prieto earned First Team recognition while junior defender Salvador Gomes earned a Second Team selection. Gomes tallied six points with a goal and four assists and was a staple on the Buffalo State defense than allowed less than one goal per game across 23 games this season.
Cardillo, Staff Named Region III Coaching Staff of the Year
Cardillo and his staff—August Finn, Saleman Salim, Yohan Andraud, and Eduardo Martinez—were named the United Soccer Coaches Region III Coaching Staff of the Year. Cardillo and his staff are the second in program history to earn the recognition and first since his predecessor Mark Howlett, who earned the honor back in 2017. Cardillo currently sits third all-time in program wins with 70 while also posting the highest winning percentage among any head coach in team history.
Wozniak Named to Academic All-District Team
Wozniak was recognized for his outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments, earning a selection to the Academic All-District Team, selected by College Sports Communicators. The senior biology major posted a 3.61 cumulative GPA while also earning Dean’s List status four separate times. He played in 20 games for Buffalo State this season with 11 starts.
Team Earns Eight All-SUNYAC Selections, Rivera Takes Top Honor
SUNYAC announced its All-Conference team, recognizing eight Buffalo State team members. Leading the way were Rivera, Prieto, and Gomes, who were First Team selections.
Two Bengals picked up Second Team recognition: junior Gregson and junior Tapiwa Mushonga. Rounding out the field, three Bengals earned Third Team honors: freshman Djadou, senior Adam Webster, and senior Wirt.
Rivera was tabbed as the SUNYAC Huntley Parker Offensive Player of the Year. He is the first Bengal to earn the honor since Bass Sarr in 2016 and just the second since 1984.