Women’s soccer (2-2, 0-0 MAC) had its first outdoor game of the spring season against Syracuse on Saturday afternoon at UB Stadium. Due to fair weather, the game was moved from the Murchie Family Field House to outside. The Bulls fell 2-0 to the Orange.
The game opened up with Syracuse dominating possession, gaining four corner kicks in the first 15 minutes of action. It took two diving saves from sophomore goalkeeper Lexie Thopmson to keep the game level, both which got a large applause for the crowd. As the first half progressed, UB began to get into a groove, finding their way into the Syracuse penalty area, but to no avail.
In the final 10 minutes of the opening half, Syracuse’s redshirt sophomore Erin Flurey broke the deadlock with a left-footed attempt that powered its way into the Buffalo netting. The end of the opening 45 minutes would see Buffalo trailing 1-0.
The Bulls started the second half invigorated. Their intensity produced multiple good looks for senior forward Arianna Zumpano. But Buffalo lacked that final finish throughout.
Syracuse would later win a freekick after a foul just outside Buffalo’s penalty box. It was once again Syracuse’s Flurey that took the direct route and slotted it home to net her a brace, doubling the lead to 2-0.
The remaining minutes of the game would see Buffalo win multiple corners which neared a goal, but Syracuse’s redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Abby Ross held Buffalo off to achieve her clean sheet.
The women’s next game is away at Cornell on April 12. Kickoff is set to start at 7 p.m.
Evan is an assistant sports editor at the Spectrum and can be reached at evan.hilbert@ubspectrum.com
Evan Hilbert is an assistant sports editor at The Spectrum. He also is a three-season student-athlete with UB’s DI cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track team. He’s a fan of the Milwaukee Bucks, Newcastle United F.C., and the Buffalo Bills.
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
