BUFFALO — The University at Buffalo women’s soccer team (3-3-2, 0-0-0 MAC) hits the road this weekend to open up Mid-American Conference play as they take on defending regular season champion Ball State at 5 p.m. Friday and Miami (OH) at 1 p.m. Sunday.
The Bulls closed out their non-conference portion of their schedule on Thursday night as they traveled to ACC member Syracuse. The Bulls put in a strong effort but fell 2-0 despite notching 11 shots in the match. Prior to the Syracuse defeat, the Bulls held a five-match unbeaten streak in which they went 3-0-2.
Leading the Bulls offensive charge this season is redshirt sophomore captain Carissima Cutrona who has netted a career-high six goals and 12 points through eight non-conference matches. Junior captain Julia Benati is having a nice start to her season as the crafty midfielder has netted two goals and two assists for six points while taking a team-high 28 shots. Sophomore Nicole Gerritz has been impressive in the midfield for the Bulls as she has managed a pair of assists while creating multiple dangerous scoring chances for the Buffalo attacking players.
Defensively the Bulls have had a strong start to the season as they are allowing just 1.00 goals-against per game while holding their opponents to 13.9 shots/game. The backline of Adrianna VanCuyck, Angel Hart, Gurjeena Jandu and Ashley Evans have grown stronger through the non-conference schedule and are in a good place heading into MAC play. In goal, Laura Dougall has started six matches and owns a 2-3-1 overall record while holding a 0.87 goals-against average with two shutouts.
The Ball State Cardinals enter Friday’s match with a 5-2-1 overall record after downing Morehead State 4-0 in their last match. The Cardinals are led offensively by Lorina White who has netted three goals and nine shots while Lauren Roll, Sam Kambol, Emily Scott and Monica Padilla each have scored two goals. Leah Mattingly and Gabby Veldman hold the team-lead in assists with two helpers. Between the pipes, the Cardinals have used a pair of keepers so far this season. Tristin Stuteville has started four matches and owns a 3-1-0 record to go along with a 0.50 goals-against average and two clean sheets while Alyssa Heintschel has a 2-1-1 record with a 1.36 goals-against average and one shutout.
Miami (OH) enters this weekend with a 3-4-0 overall record and they will host the Akron Zips on Friday night at home. The RedHawks own a 1-3-0 record at home so far this season. Miami (OH) is being led offensively by Olivia Winnett who has netted a team-high two goals and five shots while Rachel Marble has one goal and two assists to go along with nine shots. In goal, Vic Maniaci has earned six starts and holds a 2-3-0 record to go along with a 1.16 goals-against average and two shutouts.
After this weekend, the Bulls will return to Buffalo for three straight home matches as they play Bowling Green, Toledo and Ohio in the friendly UB Stadium confines.
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
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