The women's soccer team hadn't won a game in nearly two weeks. But with three matches remaining and a Mid-American Conference tournament spot on the line, last weekend was as good a time as any to get back into winning form.
Buffalo (10-4-4, 3-3-4 MAC) competed against Ohio (7-9-2, 4-4-2 MAC) and Akron (6-8-2, 3-5- MAC) in a campaign to clinch its first playoff berth since 2003. The Bulls couldn't get that extra goal they needed on Friday and tied against Ohio, 1-1. They found their way back into the win column when they hosted Akron on Sunday, beating the Zips, 1-0.
Buffalo created multiple scoring opportunities in both of its matches, but the Bulls had to rely on late-game dramatics once again to avoid defeat.
The Bulls were on their way to another loss against Ohio. Down 1-0, the Bulls pushed 10 players (everyone but the goalie) up the field in the game's final 10 minutes in a desperate attempt to make a comeback.
Buffalo's risky formation paid off in the 88th minute when freshman midfielder Megan Giesen headed in a cross from junior midfielder Taylor Thompson for the game-tying score. This was Giesen's second goal of the year – her first was the game-winning goal in a double overtime thriller against Canisius early in the season.
The Bulls scored a late-game goal again against Akron, but this time, it gave Buffalo the win. Late in the second half, senior forward Aubrey Stahl took advantage of a one-on-one opportunity against the Zips. She shot the ball beyond the goalkeeper's reach, and gave Buffalo the lead for good in the 87th minute.
Head coach Michael Thomas praised his team, as well as Akron, for a hard-fought match. "It was a meaningful late-season soccer game," Thomas said. "Both teams knew what was on the line and both teams came out and gave a great effort. It showed what soccer is about. It showed how much this is a game of inches."
Sophomore goalkeeper Ainsley Wheldon again showed she is a force to be reckoned with last weekend. Wheldon totaled 18 saves, with a school record 14 of them coming against Akron. She is currently tied for second in the nation for most saves this season with 126.
Wheldon's biggest save came against Akron in the 86th minute. Akron midfielder Kelly Deniro ripped off a shot that seemed too high for the 5-foot-4-inch sophomore to stop. Wheldon barely deflected the ball with her fingertips, but it found its way into Akron midfielder Rachel Phillip's possession. Phillip got off a shot, but Wheldon came through with an incredible effort to make the save.
"I don't know how she stopped that one shot," Thomas said. "It was a bit of a scramble back there, but Ainsley came out and got the clean sheet. She did exactly what was expected of her…The defense has been the backbone all year, and there's nothing more fitting than to come out on the last Sunday of the season and get a shutout."
Wheldon faced a similar situation against Ohio, but she wasn't as successful. Ohio forward Erin Schwenke netted the ball on a rebound in the 55th minute to give Ohio the lead.
That one goal was the only flaw in an otherwise solid effort by the Buffalo defenders. The group blocked seven shots from reaching Wheldon. Thomas believes that the defenders' play is just as important as the goals scored and the shots saved.
"Blocked shots is one of the things that wins and loses you games," Thomas said. "And everybody talks about goals, assists, saves but blocked shots are one of those little unsung things that can win and loss you games."
The Bulls created more scoring opportunities than Ohio. Buffalo got 10 shots on goal to Ohio's five. Thomas lauded the Bulls' increased attack.
"I was definitely pleased with the chances that we created throughout the game," Thomas said. "I thought we did a great job of playing [offensively] and creating chances. We just need to finish a higher percentage of our chances."
The Bulls were outshot by Akron, 14-5, but they still came out on top.
Buffalo will host its season finale against Kent State (12-6, 6-4 MAC) on Thursday. If the Bulls win, they will have punched their ticket to the MAC tournament.
Buffalo isn't afraid, however, as the squad has realized it has the potential to beat the best in the MAC.
"I think that we have proven all season that if we do the things that we do best that we can win against anybody, and if we stop doing those things we don't," Stahl said. "We are really going to focus on us. It's not about Kent State. Kent State is having a really great year but we are not worried about them. It's about us coming out and taking care of what we need to do." Kickoff is at 3 p.m. at UB Stadium.
Women's Soccer Tournament Scenario
Mid-American Conference standings:
Toledo (8-1-1 MAC) 25 points
Central Michigan (7-1-2) 23 points
Western Michigan (7-3) 21 points
Kent State (6-4) 18 points
Ohio (4-4-2) 14 points
Ball state (4-4-2) 14 points
Buffalo (3-3-4) 13 points
Miami (OH) (4-6) 12 points
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Akron (3-5-2) 11 points
Eastern Michigan (3-6-1) 10 points
Buffalo is in if…
- It beats or ties Kent State
- Akron loses to Ohio
- Eastern Michigan loses to Central Michigan
Buffalo is out if…
- It loses and Akron wins
- It loses and Eastern Michigan wins by a larger margin than Buffalo's loss (tie breakers are the goal differential, and Buffalo sits at -1 in conf. and Eastern Mich is at -2)
The best that Buffalo can finish is fifth, so if the Bulls get in, they will start the playoffs on the road this Sunday.
