BUFFALO — Melissa Smith’s (N. Tonawanda/Niagara Wheatfield) 15th goal of the season in the opening half was all the offense No. 18 Buffalo State would need to capture its first-ever SUNYAC Championship in a 1-0 victory over visiting Geneseo today at Coyer Field. The win clinches an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III tournament, also a program-first for the Bengals.
The teams engaged in a tightly contested first half with Buffalo State breaking through in the 32nd minute for the game’s only goal. Freshman Jada Sargeant (Camillus/Marcellus) steared a bouncing ball between two defenders and Smith sent an off-balanced, left-footed attempt off the left post and into the back of the net. Geneseo’s best chance of the half came just minutes later when a try from a sharp angle on the left wing just sailed past the far post.
The Knights rallied in the early part of the second half, creating a couple of chances, but Buffalo State’s defense and freshman goalkeeper Taylor Carillo (Pine Bush/Pine Bush) were equal to the task. The Bengals regained momentum and possessed the ball for much of the final 25 minutes with the Knights mustering just two shot attempts during that time. Buffalo State held a narrow 10-9 edge in shots for the game, and a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks. Carillo made three saves for her 13th shutout of the season.
Buffalo State has earned an automatic bid to their first-ever NCAA tournament to begin on either Nov. 11 or 12. The Bengals will learn the location and opponent of their first round match during the NCAA selection show on Monday at 1:30 p.m. that will stream live on http://www.ncaa.com/sports/soccer-women/d3
from BuffaloStateAthletics.com via IFTTT
