???The women's soccer team is having trouble learning how to win.
???After their overtime tie in last week's game against the Mid-American Conference's first place-Central Michigan Chippewas, the Bulls entered UB Stadium on a mission to use that momentum to finally get a conference win. Unfortunately, the Northern Illinois Huskies had a plan of their own, successfully defeating the Bulls 1-0.
???Intense defense was the highlight of Friday's game as both teams' offenses struggled to get shots off on one another. By the end of the first half, both Buffalo (4-6-4, 0-5-2 MAC) and Northern Illinois (8-3-4, 4-2-1 MAC) recorded no shots on goal. In the half, only six combined shots were taken, with five of them coming from the Bulls.
???With both defenses looking solid far into the second half, the idea that this game was going to enter into overtime and potentially end in a tie, as it has numerous times for the Bulls this season, seemed inevitable to Buffalo's fans. At the 77th minute, that idea changed. Huskies freshman Danielle Janowiak shot the ball 18 yards, hitting the back of the Bulls' net.
???Not looking to give up, the Bulls immediately jumped up their game. With only 30 seconds left in the game, junior Jennifer Mihok set freshman teammate Deanna Rowe with the potential game-tying pass. Rowe's shot was on target; however, Northern Illinois' junior goalkeeper Lindsay Curnock made a great diving save to end the game 1-0.
???The win for Northern Illinois makes for their second shutout in a row and moves them into third place in the MAC.
???As for the Bulls, the loss keeps them at the bottom of the conference still searching for their first MAC win. After starting the season 4-0, the Bulls haven't seen a victory since Sept. 5.
???According to head coach Michael Thomas, Friday's loss was chalked up to not taking advantage of their opportunities.
???"It comes down to the fact that when you get your chances, you have to finish or you won't be successful," he said.
???Regardless of what statistics may show, the Bulls are not a team to be overlooked. In all but one of their losses, the Bulls have only lost by a margin of two points or less.
???Huskies head coach Carrie Barker knew that a win at Buffalo was not going to be an easy task.
???"It was a great win," she said. "It was on the road in a difficult place to play. I don't think our kids [players] realize how big this win was."
???With four games remaining on the schedule, the Bulls intend to finish it like they started it off: winning.
???"I see us getting back to where we were at the beginning," said Bulls senior goalkeeper Amy Coron. "I see our play coming back together again. We kind of lost our consistency and flow in the middle of the season with the last few losses and ties. But I think after Central [Michigan] and this game, we are definitely getting back together."
???See Wednesday's issue of The Spectrum for coverage on Sunday's game against Western Michigan.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
