The UB women's soccer team (5-2-0 overall, 1-1-0 Mid-American Conference) continued its stellar season Sunday by whipping the Northern Illinois Huskies by the score of 4-0.
Things are expected to heat up even more this weekend though, as the Bulls head to Michigan for a two-game trip against MAC rivals, Central and Eastern Michigan.
UB will encounter a very winnable game against Central Michigan, which has experienced some trouble so far this season, with a record of 1-2-2 overall and a 0-1-1 record in the MAC. But Sunday, Buffalo will venture to Eastern Michigan for a showdown with the Eagles who have been soaring as of late with a record of 3-2-1 overall and a 2-0-0 MAC record, good for a tie of first place in the conference.
The Friday game, which is to be played at CMU field for their home opener, pits Buffalo against a team which it has had little success against, with the all-time series at 1-3-1 for the Bulls. The last time these two teams played, the game ended in a tie on Sept. 20, 2002 with a score of 2-2.
This time around the Chippewas have 10 freshmen on their team, and the Bulls should be looking to capitalize on that advantage.
"Even though they have 10 freshmen, they have solid senior leadership to guide them along," said UB head coach Jean-A Tassy. "So we'll also be looking for our own seniors to get us over the hump."
On Sunday, the Bulls face off against the Eagles, who are tied for first place in the MAC with Kent State.
"(EMU) plays more of a direct style offense, with speed on the outside," said Tassy. "We need to keep them in front of us and not give up any opportunities."
Buffalo's nominee for this week's MAC Women's Soccer Player of the Week, Nicole Olszewski, will be looking to do some scoring of her own.
"(Buffalo) is very good at reading each other and getting good passes, and I'll just be looking to score some more while setting up everyone else," said Olszewski.
Olszewski knows something about scoring herself - she has three goals on the season, and 53 career points, which is good for seventh place on the Buffalo all-time career scoring list.
Tassy says that along with Olszewski, Buffalo has the potential to sport four All-Americans:
"She, along with Devon Russell, Natalia Crofut and Emily Russell have real shots at becoming All-Americans this year," said Tassy. "Those players, along with Anna-Lesa Calvert and Brenna McClurry, the mainstay of our defense, are making for a very exciting year."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
