The women's soccer team can still clinch the eighth and final playoff spot in the 2004 Mid-American Conference tournament, but it is not going to be an easy task. With just two MAC games left, Buffalo needs at least one win and one tie to have a chance at the last spot, which is currently owned by Miami of Ohio.
The Bulls are looking to earn their sixth straight MAC playoff bid and will have to face last place Marshall (3-10-3 overall, 0-9-1 MAC) on Friday, followed by a game against first place Ohio (8-4-3 overall, 7-0-3 MAC) on Sunday. Miami is just three points ahead of UB going into the final weekend of play.
UB head coach Jean Tassy and senior forward/midfielder Jenny Dannecker both believe that a playoff spot is definitely an attainable goal for the Bulls.
" I definitely think we have a chance. We have to win both games and then hope that Miami loses and we'll be fine," said Dannecker.
Coach Tassy was less optimistic than Dannecker, but said he still believes the playoffs are within reach for the Bulls.
"I think we have a slim chance, but it's a doable task," he said.
This weekend, Dannecker hopes to help her team by continuing her current goal scoring fury. Dannecker scored a hat trick in the Bulls' last contest.
"I just have to put the ball in the back of the net. Opportunities are there. I just need to finish them. I think we can make it if we score more goals," said Dannecker.
Buffalo plays Marshall on Friday, a team that is last in the MAC East division. UB will be looking to add to Marshall's six game losing streak, a streak in which the Herd has been shut out three times.
Sunday presents a different challenge for the Bulls, as they will host first place Ohio University. The Bobcats bring an impressive MAC record 11-game unbeaten streak to RAC Field. They have allowed only one goal since a Sept. 10 tie to Northern Illinois. Since that goal, they have gone 942 minutes without allowing a goal by an opponent.
Sunday's game against Ohio will also be an emotional one for the Bulls' seniors, as it is senior day. The eight seniors on the Bulls' roster include goalkeeper Anna-Lesa Calvert, defender Brenna McJury, forward Lindsay Szafranski, defender Erin Tambs, forward Jennifer Rounds, midfielder Arielle Korczykowski, forward Julia Kowzan and midfielder Dannecker. At halftime of the game each senior will bring her mother to the center of the field and hand her a flower.
"I'm definitely going to miss the girls. This year's has been a great group. We have gotten really close. I'll also miss the competitiveness, because there is not much out there after college soccer for girls. I want to go out with a bang," said Dannecker.
Coach Tassy said this group of seniors will be greatly missed at the end of the season but believes the girls left their legacy on this team for the future.
"I think when you look at the players that have established their legacy and won a conference championship - those players you have to give credit that they're leaving their legacy behind. Not only leave a winning program, but also leave your legacy, and I think the seniors are doing that," said Tassy.
UB goalkeeper Anna-Lesa Calvert has a chance to leave a legacy of her own. Calvert is three saves away from becoming just the 10th player in Buffalo history to record 100 saves in a season. Calvert is also just 10 saves shy of entering UB's top five in career saves. Her 19 wins already place her third on UB's career win list.
The Bulls begin their final home stand this Friday against Marshall at RAC Field at 7 p.m. followed by the season finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. against Ohio University.
