Tuesday may be Election Day, but politicians won't be the only ones vying for a win. The UB women's soccer team will also be campaigning for victory as they travel to Cochrane Field in Bowling Green, Ohio to start their post-season quest against the Bowling Green Falcons in the first round of the MAC tournament.
BGSU (11-7-2, 7-4-1 MAC) knew that they would be hosting a playoff game but had to wait until Ohio played Marshall Friday to find out who their opponent would be. Ohio beat Marshall, putting the Bobcats in control of the third seed and sending the Falcons to the fourth seed and a date with the fifth seeded Bulls. UB (7-7-5, 5-5-2 MAC) had to sweep games with Kent State and Ohio to assure themselves of a spot in the tournament.
UB lost 2-1 in overtime to Bowling Green on October 20, but it was a game that the Bulls felt they could have won.
"I think we'll be more motivated to play Bowling Green because we want to prove that last game was a mistake," said senior Elizabeth Pfeffer.
"They beat us 2-1 on goals that we thought should not have happened," said sophomore goaltender Anna-Lesa Calvert. "We feel we were the better side for sure, and we're excited to prove that we should have won."
The revenge factor won't be all that the girls are feeding off of to provide a lift. UB matches up well with the Falcons and Bowling Green has a problem with fast attackers as their defense has been shown to have a lack of speed. Speed is going to be a key for UB to advance past BGSU.
"We have tremendous speed," said UB Head Coach Jean-A. Tassy. "We really can get the opponent's defense tired. That's a major factor."
The Bulls are also storming into the payoffs with the momentum of a three game winning streak.
"It seems like we are peaking at the right time," said Tassy. "In (the last) three games we scored nine goals and only gave up two, that's really positive."
Buffalo's goaltending is peaking as well. Calvert has solidified the top goalkeeping job after co-starter senior Emily Cox went down with a shoulder injury, but the injury isn't the only reason she is cemented in goal. Her amazing play has earned her the right to be there. In the two games against Ohio and Kent State, Calvert posted back to back shutouts earning her MAC player of the week honors. She will be counted on immensely to help shut down the Falcons' offense.
BGSU's attack is led by Kristy Coppes, who has 24 points (11 goals). The Falcons' attack is funneled through Coppes, who is tied for seventh in the MAC in scoring.
The MAC tournament is the goal for teams at the beginning of the year, but now that they are here the Bulls won't be satisfied with a first round exit.
"We definitely feel we have the opportunity to go to the NCAA's this year," said Calvert. "I don't think we'll be happy unless we make it further. It's single round elimination so we expect to go far."
The winner of this game moves to the next round, only two wins from the NCAA tournament. For the seniors on the team it's a final chance at a title.
"For me personally, my first year we hosted the MAC tournament," said Pfeffer. "We were the first UB team ever to host the tournament. When there was a chance that we weren't going to be in the playoffs I was defeated. Winning two games putting us to fifth (seed) isn't enough. I want to leave having won ... I want to win the tournament before I leave here and this is my last chance."
The Bulls have had an exciting year so far and have a great opportunity to make the NCAA tournament.
"The girls realize that they have the potential to make it to the NCAA. It's one game at a time," said Tassy. "From that standpoint they have to take ownership. Ownership is not just verbiage. Ownership is for our strikers to strike, for our midfielders to distribute the ball, for our team to attack and play defense. Once we discipline ourselves to do that I don't see how the outcome to that would not be favorable."
If the Bulls advance past their Election Day opponent, they will play the winner of the game between No. 8 Central Michigan and No. 1 Miami. Perhaps the campaign trail won't end in the first round for the Bulls this year.
