The streak continues

The women's soccer team had two scoreless streaks going into Sunday's game.

The squad had not scored in over 238 minutes and had held its opponent without a goal for 314 minutes. After 90 minutes in Buffalo's game Sunday, a 0-0 score entering the overtime period made it seem like these streaks would extend through another afternoon.

That all changed with one cross of the ball.

With less than two minutes remaining in the second overtime, sophomore defender Kristin Markiewicz led an attack down the sideline before serving the ball toward the net. Senior forward Karen McMahon took care of the rest, burying the ball in the back of the net.

"It almost didn't seem like real life at first," McMahon said. "It was just so memorable. It was my senior game for myself and my teammates, and as soon as I scored that goal, everyone came running over to me and I started crying because it was just overwhelming."

The Bulls (3-1-2) handed Austin Peay (5-1-1) its first loss of the season on Buffalo's Senior Day. The shutout was the fourth consecutive for the Bulls - the defense has not allowed a goal in 422 minutes.

The last time a ball got past senior goalkeeper Ainsley Wheldon was in August. Wheldon snared three saves en route to her 19th career shutout, to put her two behind Jaime Adams' record for most in school history (21). Head coach Michael Thomas said Wheldon's success is a token of the whole team's defensive play.

"The defense continues to not concede goals, and I believe today was one of their most complete performances of the year," Thomas said. "I was more pleased with the back four today than I ever have been, and you just can't write a better ending than to have a senior end the game with a goal on Senior Day."

Buffalo outshot Austin Peay 14-9, including firing two more shots on goal than the Governors. After a slow start, the Bulls spent most of the second half in their opponents' end, creating scoring opportunities.

"I think we struggled a little bit in the first half due to some of the distractions of Senior Day," Thomas said. "From halftime on, though, I was really pleased with how we played. We had some young players come in and bring some energy."

Much of the credit for the second-half turnaround belongs to two freshmen. Midfielders Dana Lytle and Celina Carrero came off the bench and provided instant offense for the Bulls. Each had shots on net, including a Lytle header in the first overtime that sailed just over the net.

Before the game, McMahon, Wheldon, senior midfielder Lauren Coviello and senior defenders Courtney Gross and Natalie Jurisevic were honored for Senior Day.

The Bulls will continue their home stand Wednesday when they'll take on local rival Niagara (0-7) in their last game before Mid-American Conference play begins. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

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