UVI’s Bucs ended their 2014 season strong, earning a hard-fought 0-0 tie on Tuesday, Nov. 25, in Puerto Rico in their second quarterfinals match against LAI rivals Rio Piedras. Despite the draw, an earlier 4-0 loss to Rio Piedras on the Bucs home field on St. Croix proved too great a hurdle for any hopes of advancing to the LAI finals.
Curtis Gilpin, UVI’s interim athletic director, said the resilient Buccaneer squad “fought tooth and nail in their final match of the season.” He noted the team was short-handed, but got great play from co-captains Kimani George and Denny Smith. With just 10 players able to make the trip, Smith was moved to the goalie position for the match, where he managed the shoutout. “The rainy conditions did nothing to dampen their spirits in this defensive battle,” Gilpin said. The Bucs end the season with an overall 5-6-4 record.