UB women’s soccer (11-3-3, 5-2-3 MAC) defeated the Bowling Green Falcons (8-6-3, 7-2-1 MAC),1-0, at Cochrane Stadium in Bowling Green, OH Thursday night.
After a controversial rule application kept the Bulls out of the MAC Championship Game in favor of BGSU last season, UB came into the Bowling Green game with revenge on its mind.
The beginning of the match was a cagey affair, with neither side budging defensively and both teams recording as many fouls as shots.
The first scoring opportunity for the Bulls came at the 23-minute mark, when freshman midfielder Alya Ruken cut in from the left flank. But her shot was too high, keeping the game even heading into the second half.
The Bulls’ defense was particularly stout in the first half, holding the Falcons to just six shots.
The Falcons came out aggressive in the second half, when, at the 50-minute mark, junior defender Audrey Shea was given a clear scoring opportunity, but Bulls’ senior goalkeeper Emily Kelly made the stop to keep the game scoreless.
At the 61-minute mark, senior midfielder Katherine Camper found graduate midfielder Marcy Barberic, who slid a shot past Bowling Green redshirt junior goalkeeper Lily Berg to secure the first lead of the game.
Kelly was the star of the match, as she made four crucial saves en route to her sixth shutout of the season. Senior defender Tess Ford was named Player of the Game by the UB coaching staff for her strong defensive efforts.
The Bulls then traveled back to UB Stadium for Senior Day to host the Toledo Rockets (10-4-4, 5-3-2 MAC) Sunday afternoon, where they drew 0-0 in the Bulls’ third double-overtime of the season.
The Bulls’ best scoring opportunity came at the 32-minute mark, when Barberic launched a powerful kick that was blocked by Rockets sophomore goalkeeper Emma Boutorwick.
The Bulls continued their aggressive play in the second half, when Barberic was given two more opportunities to score — one at the 48-minute mark and another at the 54-minute mark — but was unable to find the back of the net.
At the 67-minute mark, the Rockets responded when senior defender Betsy Lueckfired an unsuccessful shot on goal to test Kelly.
With neither team able to break the draw, the match headed into overtime.
In the extra period, the Bulls were given two opportunities early with Barberic sailing a shot over the crossbar and senior midfielder Katherine Camper barely missing the mark on a long-distance shot.
Fatigue began to set in once the second overtime period began, with the two teams recording one shot a piece. The game ended in a scoreless draw..
Despite the tie, the Bulls dominated the Rockets, leading in total shots (16 to four) and shots on goal (eight to two).
With the win Thursday and the draw Sunday, the Bulls clinched a spot in the MAC Tournament, which begins Oct. 31.
UB will close out its regular season at UB Stadium against the Akron Zips (3-14-1, 1-8-1 MAC) Thursday at 3 p.m.
The sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum.com
