The UB women’s soccer team (5-0-2, 0-0 MAC) drew 1-1 against the Colorado College Tigers (4-4-1, 0-0 MW) and beat the Northern Colorado Bears (2-7, 0-0 Big Sky Conference) 2-0 this past weekend. After a dominant preseason, the Bulls are now the second ranked team in the MAC going into conference play.
9/12 vs. Colorado College Tigers
The Tigers struck first, scoring their first goal in the 3rd minute, being the only shot that the Bulls allowed on target the entire game. Senior defensive midfielder Kaylen Ricci would attempt the first shot at the goal in the 13th minute, coming up empty-handed. Several minutes later, a corner kick opportunity arose and sophomore defender Maya Galko attempted a shot on target, but Tigers’ sophomore goalie Reagan Wallace made the save. This would be the story of the half as the Bulls went on to attempt five more shots, with none of them making it to the back of the net.
With a team defensive effort, UB forced the Tigers into zero shots on target for the half. The Bulls did not take their foot off of the offensive pedal, with 12 shots at the goal in the period. In the 66th minute, graduate defensive midfielder Olivia Bizonni gave UB breathing room following a goal assisted by Senior midfielder Kelly Severini. The remainder of the game would be spent in the Tigers’ half of the field, with UB attempting eight more shots, but were unable to take the lead. The game ended in a draw, leaving the Bulls 4-0-2 heading into a match against the Northern Colorado Bears.
9/15 vs. Northern Colorado Bears
In the first half, UB was rewarded five corner kicks to the Bears’ one. Galko would score directly from the set-piece similar to her goal against Canisius, marking her second career goal for the Bulls. Sophomore goalkeeper Lexie Thompson would lead defensively, saving all four of the opponents attempts at goal.
The second half would tell the same dominant defensive story for the Bulls, allowing only two shots for the remainder of the match. Following a foul in the keeper’s box, Buffalo were awarded a penalty. Junior defender Ellie Simmons would step up and score the final goal for the Bulls, in what was also her second goal as a Bull after scoring her first this past week against Colgate. This win marks UB’s best start to a season since their championship year in 2022. UB would finish their road trip 1-0-1, remaining unbeaten.
The Bulls will begin conference play this Thursday against the unbeaten Akron Zips (5-0-2, 0-0 MAC) in Akron, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
