On the road in the Great Lake State, the women's soccer team added both a win and a loss to its Mid-American Conference (MAC) record in matches against Eastern and Central Michigan.
On Friday the Bulls (5-9-2, 2-5-1 MAC) traveled to Ypsilanti, MI to take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-5-4, 4-2-2 MAC), but were defeated 7-1.
The Bulls scored the first goal of the match in the fourth minute of play. Sophomore midfielder Caitlin Higgins scored on a header off an assist from freshman defender Martina Pettenuzzo. The goal was the second of the season for Higgins and the first point for Pettenuzzo as a Bull.
Buffalo was only able to enjoy this lead for a few minutes as the Eagles began their scoring run in the 7th minute of play. Ashley Rodrigues of Eastern Michigan recorded a hat trick in the first half, giving the Eagles a 3-1 lead after the first 45 minutes of play.
"The thing that sometimes leads to our demise is the fact that when we score a goal we don't raise our momentum to go after the second goal," said head coach Jean-A Tassy. "We kind of feel comfortable, and I think that backfired on us."
Eastern Michigan scored four more unanswered goals in the second half to win the match 7-1. Tassy attributed the loss to a mental shutdown by the whole team.
"I think we started really well for a solid 20 minutes, and then we hit a wall," Tassy said. "From then on it was just a meltdown. They (Eastern Michigan) equalized it, and then it was 3-1 by halftime. It was like the team was psychologically demoralized."
In the second half, Buffalo had only two shots on goal and were out-shot by the Eagles 15-9. Junior goalkeeper Amy Coron finished the match with five saves for the Bulls.
With another MAC game ahead of them, Tassy knew it was important for the team to put the Eastern Michigan match behind them.
"You've got to look at the game against Eastern Michigan as a game you would like to throw out of the window," Tassy said. "It wasn't a loss, it was more of an insult. I don't think we've lost by that many goals in my whole 13 years of coaching. The players knew they were a lot better than that."
On Sunday the Bulls traveled upstate to play Central Michigan (7-8-0, 3-5-0 MAC) in Mount Pleasant. Buffalo recorded its second MAC win of the season by defeating the Chippewas, 1-0. It was the Bulls' first-ever road win against Central Michigan.
"We played smart," Tassy said. "We managed the clock and after we scored a goal, we were able to stay focused and neutralized the players, they (Central Michigan) were looking to go to. All those things together gave us the opportunity to win as a team."
Freshman midfielder Lindsey Bailey recorded her second goal of the season and the only goal of the match in the 64th minute of play. Bailey scored off a cross from senior forward Ashley Turner, who recorded her third assist of the season.
Following a tough match against Eastern Michigan, Coron recorded her third shutout of the year as she finished the match against Central Michigan with 11 saves, a season-high in MAC competition.
While the win was not an individual accomplishment, Tassy acknowledged that several players stepped up to make a huge difference.
"It was a total team effort, but there were some players that really stepped up and did a lot," Tassy said. "I thought Amy (Coron) played a solid game on Sunday. Nikki Wilson, on the defensive side of the ball, also played really solid."
Tassy was also particularly impressed with the play of Turner.
"I thought Ashley Turner played a super game," Tassy said. "She gave her all and then left it on the pitch. That's what I ask of all the players every time they step out on the pitch to give it their all whatever the outcome is."
With three home games remaining, Tassy is optimistic about where the team is going.
"We are looking forward to playing at home for a change," Tassy said. "We have three home matches and I feel if our girls stay focus on what we should be doing, we can get all three of them and it can propel us into the (MAC) tournament."
The Bulls play at home as they head into the final stretch of MAC competition, taking on top ranked Ball State Friday Oct. 26. Game time is set for 4 p.m. at UB Stadium.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
