Squaring off with conference opponents is never thought of as something that is "easy." Especially when it's on the road and against the two of the top teams in the MAC.
UB's women's soccer team was lumped twice this past weekend as they chalked up two road losses to conference opponents. Buffalo lost to Ball State by a score of 2-1 on Friday, and then lost to Miami (OH) 2-0 on Sunday, consequently dropping their record to 2-4-4 on the season, with a 2-3-1 conference record.
Facing those two teams was not an easy challenge, as both Miami and Ball State occupy first and second in the conference standings respectively.
After the win over Buffalo, Miami advanced its record to 6-0 in conference play on the year. With their shutout win over UB, the RedHawks have now recorded six consecutive shutout victories.
Ball State is a game behind Miami at 5-1. Buffalo currently sits behind seven MAC teams who are at .500 in conference play this year. The Bulls are in 10th place out of 13 teams.
After the test that Miami put out for Buffalo and how closely they matched up against them, the Bulls feel they can compete with any team in the conference.
"The Miami game is the best we've played all year and the team knows that," said goaltender Anna-Lesa Calvert, a Spectrum staff writer. "I really don't think that any MAC can be seen as an easy game. Miami is definitely a tough team and so are some of our previous opponents, but we can't underestimate anyone."
Calvert has split time in goal with senior Emily Cox. The sophomore from Dallas, Texas has 19 saves, a 1.24 goals against average, and a 1-1-3 record. Cox has 35 saves and a 2.38 GAA and is 1-3-1 on the year.
"Every game is a tough one but we believe that Miami has been our biggest competitor," said senior Andrea Sullivan. "We haven't been able to beat them yet, but really are hoping to get another chance to play them, and beat them in the MAC playoffs."
Excluding Miami and Ball State, the MAC is in a dead heat for positioning. The six remaining games on the Bulls schedule are against teams that are either at or below .500 in conference play this year. UB will play Niagara and Canisius over the next week in non-conference play.
Helping the Bulls in their play is the fact that anyone at anytime can become a scoring threat. Of the ten goals scored this season, eight have been from different players. Junior Erin McGarry leads Buffalo with five points, and Devon Russell is second with four. Junior Nicole Olszewski leads the team with 21 shots, but has only scored one goal.
"We don't have one person that we look to in clutch situations," said captain Meaghan Maul. "We rely on all 29 girls on the team to give their all and trust each other to step it up when necessary."
"We have such a strong team that anyone can come onto the field at any time and make a real difference in a game," Calvert added. "I think that's probably one of the best things about our team this year."
The goals are coming from all positions, yet the Bulls are being outscored 20-10 in their games this year. In conference play the team has been outscored 12-6. The problem is not that the team isn't taking shots, it's that the team isn't finishing them.
"Right now our main focus is finishing, and once we start putting the ball in the back of the net, nobody will be able to stop us," said an excited Sullivan.
Sullivan's confidence is not just a reflection on her but a reflection on the team's attitude as well.
"We still have quite a few conference games left so we're not going to let a loss keep us down at this point," said Maul. "Also the majority of the remainder of our games will be home so having the chance to play on our field with our fans will motivate us as well."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
