After winning its first-ever SUNYAC Championship with a 1-0 victory over Geneseo, Buffalo State’s women’s soccer team is set to add two more firsts to the program’s record books. The conference title earned the program’s first-ever bid to the NCAA Division III tournament, and as the bracket was unveiled this afternoon, Buffalo State also learned it would be a host site for the first and second rounds this Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, the Bengals will host Montclair State at 1:30 p.m., and Messiah will face the College of Staten Island at 11 a.m. The winners will meet on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Second-round winners will advance to one of four sectional sites November 18 and 19 or 19 and 20. All games, except the semifinals and final, will be played on the campuses of competing institutions. Winners of the four sectionals will advance to the semifinals December 2 and 3, at Kerr Stadium in Salem, Virginia, with Roanoke College, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and the City of Salem serving as hosts.
Buffalo State
Buffalo State is making its first-ever NCAA Playoff appearance after claiming its first SUNYAC title on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Geneseo. The Bengals are currently riding a 14-game winning streak and have never trailed during its 15-game unbeaten streak. At 17-1-2 overall, Buffalo State has set a program record for wins in a season. The Bengals are led offensively by senior forwards Melissa Smith (N. Tonawanda/Niagara-Wheatfield) and Tianna Hatch (Endicott/Elmira Free Acad.). Smith paced the SUNYAC with 15 goals and 37 points and was named MVP of the SUNYAC tournament after netting a goal in both the semifinal and title matches. Hatch has eight goals and also scored in the conference semifinals. On the back end, Buffalo State is anchored by freshman goalkeeper Taylor Carillo (Pine Bush/Pine Bush) who has recorded a school-record 13 shutouts. The Bengals have conceded just three goals in the past 15 games.
Montclair State
Montclair State is 15-3-2 overall and received an at-large bid after losing on penalty kicks to Rowan after a 0-0 draw in the semifinals of the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Red Hawks have outscored their opponents, 63-11, this season. Freshman Emily Beenders leads Montclair State with 13 goals and 34 points this season. Freshman Christine Mayorga and senior Jennie Hornstra have added 10 goals apiece for the Red Hawks. Alyson Burns and Molly Barrow have shared time at goalkeeper, combining for 12 shutouts and a 0.54 goals against average.
Messiah
Messiah is 17-2 and received an automatic bid as the champions of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Commonwealth with a 2-0 victory over Arcadia. It was the 15th conference title in 17 seasons for the Falcons. Messiah advanced to the national semifinal last season before falling in penalty kicks against Washington University (Mo.). Messiah has allowed just seven goals against this season, while scoring 63, led by Marissa Weaver’s 21 goals and 49 points. Sara Yunez has played all but 47 minutes in goal with a 0.37 goals against average and 12 shutouts.
College of Staten Island
Staten Island is making its second-consecutive trip to the NCAA playoffs after capturing the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) title with a 2-0 win over Brooklyn. The Dolphins are 12-4-2 overall, and are led offensively by Krystina Rodriguez and Jennifer Cosenza. Rodriguez has 29 points on eight goals and 13 assists, while Cosenza lead the team with 13 goals and also has 29 points. Nicole Mignone has a 0.81 goals against average with 10 shutouts.
Tickets will be sold each day at the Coyer Field ticket booth beginning one hour prior to the first game of the day. Admission for each day is $6 general admission, $3 for seniors and students and $2 for children ages 3-12.
from BuffaloStateAthletics.com via IFTTT
