Bulls Blanked In Season Opener, 2-0

Friday, August 23

5 pm

0-1-0, 0-0-0MAC

Michigan State

1-0-0, 0-0-0B1G

Buffalo

Michigan State

8/23/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

EAST LANSING, MI – The Buffalo women's soccer team (0-1, 0-0 MAC) opened up their 2013 campaign with a 2-0 loss at the hands of the Michigan State Spartans (1-0) on the road on Friday evening. The Bulls were unable to get anything going offensively as they were held to one total shot for the game.

"The girls came out and battled hard tonight for most of the game but we need to execute better," stated sixth-year head coach Michael Thomas. "I am excited by some of the things that I saw in the second half of play, but we still have a couple things to work on this week in practice. I fully expect our girls to come out ready to play next Friday at St. Bonaventure."

The Bulls were outshot 17-1 for the game as the lone Buffalo player with a shot on goal was Karen McMahon. Ainsley Wheldon played well as she faced constant Spartan pressure on the night, making five saves in the losing effort.

The Bulls were put on the defensive early on Friday as just 39 seconds into the opening half, Wheldon was forced to make a quick save off the foot of Kelsey Mullen. The Spartans spent much of the opening half in the attacking third of the field, but they were not able to put one past Wheldon despite outshooting the Bulls 10-0 after the opening 45 minutes of action.

The game-winning marker came in the 53^rd minute as Lisa Vogel found the back of the net on a free kick from 18 yards out, beating the outstretched arms of Wheldon for her first goal of the young season.

Following the Spartans strike, the Bulls responded with their first shot of the contest just 30 seconds later as McMahon had her blast turned aside, keeping the score in favor of the home team, 1-0.

Michigan State put the game away in the 85^th minute as they increased their lead to 2-0 off the foot of Jessica White. White took a perfect pass from Alexandra Gjonaj and buried a shot from six yards out on the left side of the goal.

The Bulls will have a week off before getting back on the field as they will travel to Big Four rival St. Bonaventure on Friday, August 30. First kick is set for 3 pm.