In a game that would have made Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed proud, the UB women's soccer team (2-2-4, 2-1-1 MAC) defeated the visiting Eastern Michigan Eagles (2-6, 1-2 MAC) 2-1 in a physical double overtime affair at RAC Field Sunday.
With 8:11 left in the second overtime, Buffalo junior Nicole Olszewski cut through the Eastern Michigan defense to set up the winning goal by Andrea Sullivan. Olszewski sent a centering pass to Sullivan, who headed the ball past EMU goalkeeper Aryn McCumber for her first goal of the season.
It was the type of play that Tassy had been looking for from his players all game.
"Their sweeper was playing way back on us, so we needed to have our striker play in between," Tassy said. "It's the same thing on the goal; we play the ball in and then we play the ball out."
It was a hard-hitting game from the start, costing UB two players to injury. Sophomore Lindsay Szafranski was injured in the second half of the game, and senior Megan Hosey went down in the first overtime. Devon Russell of Buffalo and Michele Lawrence of Eastern Michigan received yellow cards.
"From the beginning of the game, the refs weren't making too many calls," Sullivan said. "They hit us so we had to hit them back."
Sunday will not be the last time the Bulls see such physicality. UB Head Coach Jean-A Tassy expects to see more of it from Buffalo's other conference opponents.
"The MAC conference itself is a physical conference, the girls know that every match is going to be physical." Tassy said. "The girls in this conference are bigger and taller, so we've been trying to recruit taller and bigger girls too."
Against Eastern Michigan the Bulls went into overtime for the fifth time this season. Sullivan's goal prevented the team from recording their fifth tie.
"We're sick of going into overtime. It would've been great to beat them in regulation, but we'll take the win." Sullivan said. "It felt great to get that goal."
Russell opened the scoring when she intercepted a clearing attempt from EMU goaltender Nikki Allen following a UB corner kick, putting the ball right back in the Eagles net for her second goal for the season with 6:59 to go in the first half. It was Buffalo's only corner kick of the game, while EMU had eight.
Eastern Michigan replied in the second half after a goalie change from Allen to McCumber. Courtney Sindelar scored for the Eagles on a defensive breakdown in the UB end 14:29 into the second half.
Emily Cox went the distance in goal for Buffalo, making five saves and picking up her first win in 2002. She, however, did not need to make a save during either overtime period.
Allen, who only played the first half, made three saves for Eastern Michigan. Her replacement, McCumber, made two saves - both in overtime.
Buffalo hits the road this weekend for conference games at Ball State Friday and at Miami (OH) Sunday.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
