Coming off a 1-0 win over Colorado College (2-1-1) that extended their unbeaten streak to three games, UB women’s soccer (2-1-1) put up a good fight but ultimately fell 2-1 against No. 17 ranked Michigan State (3-0-2) in East Lansing, Michigan. The result handed the Bulls their first loss of the season.
Coming in as the underdogs, the Bulls struck first against a nationally ranked Big Ten opponent, showing they can hang with top programs. The Bulls came out strong, with a shot on goal in the first 60 seconds from sophomore forward Carolyn Hinkle.
As the half went on, decorated junior goalkeeper Lexie Thompson made many heroic saves to keep the score 0-0. Toward the end of the first half, senior midfielder Sarah Woods sent a ball into the six that found the foot of redshirt senior midfielder Koby Commandant, who tapped it into the back of the net. The Spartans scored an equalizer in the final minutes of the first half, sending the Bulls into the break tied 1-1.
The Bulls immediately came out strong again in the second half, with Hinkle taking a promising strike toward the bottom corner of the net that was ultimately saved by the Spartans. Thompson rose to the occasion while under pressure after halftime, blocking multiple shots on target to preserve the 1-1 score until late in the second half when the Spartans broke through to take a 2-1 lead. The Bulls made a few late substitutions in search of a tie but could not find the back of the net.
Though the Bulls fell just one goal short, they displayed a defensive resilience and an ability to challenge elite competition, a promising sign as they head into the rest of the season.
The women’s soccer team will next head to Niagara Falls, NY, to take on Niagara University on Sept. 3 at 7:00 P.M.
Ciah Courtney is an assistant sports editor and can be reached at ciah.courtney@ubspectrun.com
