Women's Soccer Closes Out 2013 Campaign Victorious; Defeats Akron 2-1

Thursday, October 31

4 pm

6-9-3, 3-7-1MAC

Akron

5-11-3, 2-8-1MAC

Buffalo

Akron

Women's Soccer Closes Out 2013 Campaign Victorious; Defeats Akron 2-1

10/31/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

AKRON, OH – The Buffalo women's soccer team (6-9-3, 3-7-1 MAC) closed out their 2013 season in winning fashion as they defeated the Akron Zips, 2-1, on the road. The win however, was not enough to get the Bulls into the MAC tournament.

"I was really proud of our overall team effort this afternoon," stated sixth-year head coach Michael Thomas. "It was nice to send our five seniors out with a win after they have given so much to this program with their hard work and dedication."

The game-winning goal for the Bulls came just 12 minutes into the opening half with the score already tied at one. Kristin Markiewicz took a blast from 15 yards out that bounced past the Akron goalkeeper for her first goal of the season, and second of her young career.

The Bulls opened up the scoring early on Halloween night at Akron as four minutes into the contest, leading scorer Karen McMahon scored her fifth goal of the season. McMahon's shot beat a lunging goalkeeper from 10 yards out to set a career-best mark for goals in a season.

The Zips, however, answered quickly with a goal of their own in the ninth minute, as Lani Smith beat Ainsley Wheldon for the tying score.

After 45 minutes of MAC action, the Zips held the slight 9-8 advantage in shots but Wheldon stood tall making three saves.

Akron pressured the Bulls most of the second half, trying for the tying score but the Bulls defense stood tall. The Zips held the 6-2 advantage in shots but Wheldon made two more stops and the defensive unit made sure to send the seniors out with a win.

The match is ultimately the final appearance for five UB seniors who have helped the UB women's soccer program immensely over the past four seasons: Wheldon, Natalie Jurisevic, McMahon, Courtney Gross and Lauren Coviello.

The Bulls were led offensively by McMahon who recorded a goal and four shots in her final collegiate contest. Arguably the best goalkeeper in Buffalo history, Wheldon, finished off her 22^nd career victory with a five save effort. Wheldon will graduate just one shutout shy of the school record for shutouts in a career (20).