First Place Flashes Bounced by Bulls in Thriller

In the midst of a heated Mid-American Conference playoff race, the UB women's soccer team had to knock off first-place Kent State to secure a playoff spot and make a strong statement to the rest of the field.

And that is exactly what they did.

On Friday, the Bulls (10-7-1, 6-5-1 MAC), playing their last home game of the regular season, knocked off the Kent State Golden Flashes (11-3-3, 8-2-2 MAC) by the score of 1-0 at RAC Field.

Buffalo scored the only goal it would need a mere twenty seconds into the game when Lauren West booted in her first goal of the season on a deflected shot by teammate Jennifer Rounds.

"(Kent State) was caught off guard when Jen's shot was deflected right to me," said West. "I tried to put it on goal, and it just went in."

It was also a storybook ending to a solid college career for West.

"It felt great to score that goal, and I couldn't have asked for a better ending - it was my last home game, we played great, and we knocked off a first place team. Our goalie made the save of her life - it was just perfect."

West was referring to UB goalkeeper Anna-Lesa Calvert. In the closing minutes of the second half, Calvert stoned a breakaway shot by Kent State's Jenn Frey, and on the rebound shot, she made a spectacular diving save to stop the drive.

"It was a good save, not my save of the year," said a modest Calvert. "I had to make sure that when I made the first save, I had to get up quickly, but I knew my defenders would be there for me anyway."

UB head coach Jean-A Tassy commented further on Calvert's stellar saves:

"Those were some great saves she made for us," said Tassy. "(She) has been really consistent in terms of skill and leadership for us all year, and when your keeper is hot, you win games."

"To be able to beat a quality first-place Kent State team at home tells me that we have had a strong team all year," continued a mentally exhausted Tassy. "So far, we have accomplished what we needed to and it's good for the girls to be rewarded with such a tremendous win."

Led by Devon Russell and Calvert, the Bulls played tight defense in the second half, keeping the Flashes off the scoreboard, even though they gave up a few chances.

The Bulls close out their season on the road, traveling to Cornell to play the Big Red (7-3-2 overall) in a non-Conference game on Wednesday, Oct. 29.