The Bulls got three from one and used some tight "D" to earn their second victory of the season by coasting past Niagara (1-2-0) Wednesday night in a 3-0 shutout.
Sophomore Natalia Crofut torched Niagara for three goals, and the Bulls smothered their opponents on the defensive end for their second straight shutout victory.
It was a superb team effort all the way as the Purple Eagles at times looked confused and flustered out on the field on the offensive end. Niagara might want to look into recruiting UB's goalie Anna-Lesa Calvert, not for her goal tending, but to spice up their offense a little.
Calvert got in on some of the offensive action as she assisted in Crofut's second goal of the game on a perfectly placed pass.
Calvert also was able to save two shots in the game, whereas the opposing goalie, Katy Owings, allowed all three goals on eleven shots before being replaced by Melissa Himes.
Crofut then proceeded to score a third goal that looked like something out of an "And 1" remix tape. Blazing through the defense Crofut approached the goalie and then psyched her out by bouncing the ball off her own chest and gracefully scoring the second goal of the game.
"I didn't know if I was going to get there because the goalie was right behind me, so I had to beat the goalie sprinting-wise," said Crofut.
Last year Buffalo controlled the pace for the whole game, but two mistakes led to two Niagara break away goals and ultimately cost them the game. As UB head coach Jean-A Tassy put it, "Last year they beat us 2-0, they had two breakaways; two goals, even though we dominated play. The girls remembered that and it was kind of like a tit for tat this year."
In a game filled with emotion, the Bulls once again wore their hearts on their sleeves during play. It was just the night before, September 2, that UB Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator, Nan Harvey, lost her battle with ovarian cancer and passed away. Harvey had been a part of the Bulls for almost 30 years as a student, coach, and administrator.
"This game was dedicated to Nan Harvey who has been a pillar and strength for this department," said Tassy.
Buffalo seemed to have control of the tempo throughout the game despite a slow start. UB had their share of opportunities but did not capitalize until later in the game.
In fact, the Bulls seemed to get better as the game went on, tallying two of their three goals in the second half.
"We're slowly building up and that's how I would like it to be," said Tassy. "By the time we reach the Conference, instead of peaking too early, these games are preparation for us to get ready for the MAC."
UB improved their record to 2-1-0 and will head out to the "Lone Star" state, Texas, where they will compete in the University of Texas - El Paso Invitational. They face the UTEP Miners on Friday and then Grambling State on Sunday.
