After working their way through the Mid-American Conference (MAC) playoffs, the UB women’s soccer team (11-2-7, 5-2-5 MAC) were defeated in the finals by the Western Michigan Broncos (13-1-6, 8-0-3), losing 5-0 on Sunday afternoon in Kalamazoo. The result marked the most goals UB has allowed all season in a single game.
After previously falling to the Broncos 1-0 in late September, the Bulls were looking to get their revenge and win their third MAC title in program history. But things didn't go as planned.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, three UB players would receive All-Tournament Team honors. Including senior defensive-midfielder Kaylin Ricci, senior midfielder Kaya Schultz and graduate defender Frederique St.-Jean.
The first half of the game was a back-and-forth battle for control. Sophomore goalkeeper Lexie Thompson, who was recently named MAC goalkeeper of the year, was tested early on. She would mark her first of three saves of the night in the eighth minute, including an acrobatic stop on a long-range shot from just outside the center circle.
A 37th minute free-kick conversion from the Broncos would open the scoring and would remain until the end of the first period of play. The Bulls attempted four shots in the first half, with only two of them being on target.
The second half would be a tale of two teams, as Western Michigan’s offense would overwhelm the Buffalo defense and go on to score four goals. The Bulls would end the afternoon with 13 total shot attempts, four of them coming from fifth-year defender Olivia Bizzoni, in what was her last collegiate game.
The result marked the end of the Bulls season and thwarted any hopes of an NCAA tournament appearance.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
