By Eric Brod

Senior Writer

The Bison men’s soccer team fought valiantly this past weekend in the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament in South Bend, Ind., but fell in two tough contests to ranked opponents Notre Dame and Indiana to drop its record to 2-3-0 on the young season.

On Sunday, Sept. 11, the Orange and Blue could not overcome a sluggish start and fell to No. 17 Notre Dame. Despite outshooting the Fighting Irish 15-12, the Bison did not generate any offense until a late goal by Brendan Burgdorf  ’13 in the 87th minute cut the Notre Dame lead to 2-1. Goalie Tommy Caso ’12 was effective in goal allowing two goals until Marc Hartmann ’12 relieved him for the final 17:33, shutting out Notre Dame during that time.

On Sept. 9, the Bison mounted a furious rally from a two-goal second half deficit before succumbing to No. 10 Indiana, 3-2. The Hoosiers controlled play for much of the first half and scored two goals within three minutes, each coming off the foot of Alec Purdie. Despite finding themselves in a deep hole, the Orange and Blue mounted a furious rally, scoring twice within 8:01 in the second half to tie the score at two apiece. The first came from an own goal by Indiana off a corner kick by the Bison’s C.K. Kumah ’13. Burgdorf scored his first goal of the season off a pass from Mayowa Alli ’14 to bring the Bison even. Indiana scored the game winner just seven minutes later on a goal by Eriq Zavaleta.

Even with the two defeats, the Bison showed they can play with elite competition in the nation. Both Alli and Burgdorf were named to the  All-Tournament Team. The Bison next play tonight against St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia, Pa. at 7 p.m.