DEKALB, IL – The University at Buffalo women’s soccer team (9-2-1, 5-1 MAC) put forth a dominant second-half effort as the offense exploded for five goals in a 5-0 win at Northern Illinois on Sunday.
Senior forward Marissa Foster had a historic day as she recorded a hat trick in the win, becoming the first Bull to accomplish that feat since Jenny Dannecker in 2004. The five total goals were the most scored by the Bulls since a 6-2 win over Niagara in 2021 and the most in a league win since a 5-0 win over Miami (OH) in the Covid-shortened 2020 season.
With the game scoreless at the half, Buffalo came out aggressive out of the locker room and they capitalized off the pressure in the 50th minute as Lexie Thompson booted a big ball up field that Jasmine Guerber was able to settle and drill a shot on net that was saved by Lauren Pearson, but Sarah Woods was there for the rebound goal to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.
The Bulls added to their lead five minutes later as Maya Galko took a corner and played a perfect ball to the far side of the box and Eva Blatz was in the right place at the right time to knock it into the bottom left corner of the net for her first career goal to put UB up 2-0.
Buffalo added to their lead in the 71st minute Ellie Simmons found Jessie Bernabe who slid a ball through to Foster who drilled a shot into the back of the net to give the Bulls a 3-0 lead.
Later, off an NIU turnover, Galko played a ball up ahead to Foster who outran her defender and drilled a shot back across the box into the bottom left corner of the net to make it 4-0 Bulls.
Foster wasn’t done yet though, as the Bulls drew a foul in the box, and Foster stepped up and converted the ensuing penalty kick goal, drilling a shot past Pearson who dove the wrong way, to make it a five-spot for UB.
The Bulls outshot the Huskies 13-11, including a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal while also earning six corner kick opportunities. Thompson made three saves on the afternoon.
“Definitely a tale of two halves,” said head coach Shawn Burke. “The conditions played a huge part and our players grinded it out to enter halftime leveled. As far as the second half…WOW! Marissa has been fighting for minutes and to have a breakout game like that is a testament to her attitude and importance to this team!”
Up next, Buffalo will close out the road trip at conference newcomer UMass on Thursday, October 9 at 3pm. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
For all the latest on UB women’s soccer, follow @UBWomensSoccer on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women’s Soccer Facebook page.
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