The UB Women's Soccer team continued their winning ways over the weekend going 2-0 at the UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas.
Emily Russell was the star of the weekend, having a career week and scoring five of the Bulls' six goals in the two-game sweep. Following her superb play, Russell was named the Mid-American Conference's Women's Soccer Player of the Week. With 12 points on the young season, the senior forward has already matched her season-high totals for both goals and points, set in the 2000 season.
UB Rolls Up on El Paso ...
The Bulls edged host UTEP in the opening game of the UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas on Friday night by a score of 2-1. Emily Russell led the Bulls with two first-half goals and the Buffalo defense was solid, keeping UTEP off of the scoreboard until the 85th minute of the game.
Russell netted her first goal of the game and her first goal of the season in the 18th minute of the contest when she slipped the ball past UTEP goalkeeper Katie Gilmore. Devon Russell was credited with the assist.
Nine minutes later, the senior forward scored again, this time on a long pass from Erin McGarry making the score 2-0.
UTEP would try to make a comeback late in the game, scoring with five minutes left in the contest, but would get no closer.
Texas-native Anna-Lesa Calvert earned the victory in goal for the Bulls, allowing one goal and recording five saves. The Bulls improved to 3-1-0 with the victory.
... and thwarts Grambling State
Emily Russell continued her hot streak on Sunday afternoon, recording the hat trick and throwing in an assist while leading the Bulls to a 4-1 victory over Grambling State at the UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas.
Grambling State (0-5-0) raced out to an early lead when Brittany Darsey scored a goal in the 29th minute, but the Bulls came back with four unanswered goals.
Russell scored her first goal unassisted, and quickly followed with another goal five minutes later off of a pass from Jenny Dannecker.
Buffalo's third goal was scored late in the second half when Nicole Olszewski fired in her first goal of the season, assisted by Russell. With less than a minute left to play in the contest, Olszewski and Russell teamed up again, this time Olszewski was credited with the assist and Russell scored her third goal of the game, completing the hat trick.
Jennifer Thompson made three saves and allowed one goal to earn the victory in her first career start for the Bulls.
The Bulls improved to 4-1-0 on the season and hope to continue their winning streak when they open Mid-American Conference play on Friday night, hosting Western Michigan at 7 pm at RAC Field.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
