After playing eight of their last ten games on the road, the women's soccer team played two home games over the weekend, which were two of their final three regular season Mid-American Conference (MAC) games. The Bulls faced Ball State University on Friday and Miami (OH) on Sunday for Senior Day.
Coming into the match, Ball State (11-5-1, 8-1-1 MAC) was previously undefeated in conference play. Buffalo (6-10-2, 3-6-1 MAC) was able to hand the Cardinals their first conference loss in a 1-0 victory.
Buffalo got off to a fast start as sophomore midfielder Caitlin Higgins scored for the Bulls in the fifth minute of play. Higgins received a pass from junior forward Brooke McCalla and netted the goal from 25 yards out. The goal marked Higgins' third of the season, and McCalla's fourth assist.
While the quick offensive start was important to the win, the Bulls' defense ultimately won the match, as it was able to neutralize the powerful Ball State offense. Buffalo prohibited the Cardinals from converting its 10 corner kicks and remained strong although the team was out shot, 17-12. Junior goalkeeper Amy Coron notched eight saves in her second consecutive shutout of the season.
Head coach Jean-A Tassy applauded the efforts of the team after the well-earned victory.
"I think Ball State came in to the game too relaxed, thinking it would be an easy game," Tassy said. "Our girls took offense to that and we stepped up our play. We scored early and that changed the atmosphere of the game."
On Sunday, the Bulls looked to bring some of the same attitude and intensity as they battled the Miami RedHawks (6-8-3, 4-5-1 MAC) and celebrated the senior class. Unfortunately, Buffalo was unable to double up on Senior Day as they dropped the match to Miami, 2-1.
Tassy attributed Miami's win to a brief lack of focus by the Bulls.
"There were a lot of emotions out on the field today because of senior day," Tassy said. "We played a little down, and there was an inability to concentrate on the things that we need to do to win, and this made it a really tough situation. We had two big breakdowns where we gave up two quick goals."
The two teams fought hard and played over 70 minutes without a goal on either side. Jackie Hardek of Miami scored both goals for her team. The first came just shy of the 75-minute mark, as Hardek scored on a header off a cross from teammate Sara Lund. Six minutes later, Hardek scored a second goal assisted by Lund and Rachel Byron.
Despite these late goals by the RedHawks, Coron played extremely well between the pipes, finishing with seven saves including two outstanding stops where she prevented one-on-one scoring situations by the opposing offense.
"She had a big weekend," Tassy said. "The two goals she gave up at the end against Miami (OH) were not her fault. There was a breakdown in the defense and she committed to the near post and the ball ended up on the other side. Overall, she had a great weekend. She has been solid in the net for us all season."
The Bulls did not go down without a fight as freshman defender Martina Pettenuzzo put the Bulls on the scoreboard bringing the team to within one goal. This was Pettenuzo's first goal of her collegiate career. However, Miami's lead proved to be too great for Buffalo to overcome.
The drive and refusal to give up after being down so late in the match are characteristics of the team Tassy admires.
"That has been the character of our squad all season long," Tassy said. "I have to commend the team because they played hard and always continued to battle.
Tassy will serve as head coach for his final home game before retirement on Nov. 1 as the Bulls take on Kent State. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at UB Stadium.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
