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9-2-3, 5-0-2
Central Michigan
3-11-1, 1-6-0
Bulls Remain Unbeaten In MAC Play; Down Central Michigan 1-0
10/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
HEAD COACH SHAWN BURKE POST MATCH INTERVIEW
SENIOR CAPTAIN COURTNEY MANN POST MATCH INTERVIEW
MT. PLEASANT, MI - The State University of New York, Buffalo women's soccer team (9-2-3, 5-0-2 MAC) extended their program record unbeaten Mid-American Conference start to seven games as they defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas by the score of 1-0 on Friday afternoon on the road. The win gives UB their longest unbeaten streak, seven, since 1998 when the Bulls were unbeaten for 12 contests to start the season.
"Winning in the MAC is hard, let alone winning on the road," said head coach Shawn Burke. "The three points are nice but as a group we still need to get better in possession and creating chances."
Offensively UB was led by Celina Carrero who finished off her afternoon with the game-winning goal and three shots while Katie Roberts and Julia Benati each finished with a game-high four shots. Andrea Niper had one shot off the bench for the Bulls and also had a goal disallowed on an offside call.
The game-winning goal for the Bulls came in the 6th minute off the foot of Carrero. The Newburgh, NY native had her first attempt blocked by the CMU defender but she stayed with the play, stealing the ball back and beating Heather Laeufer with a low shot into the right corner. The goal was her fourth of the season, ranking her second on the team.
In the 25th minute, team captain Courtney Mann almost gave the Bulls the 2-0 lead as she had a blast from 25-yards out that forced a diving stop by the Chippewas keeper. On the ensuing corner kick, Roberts had a header opportunity that was saved from going in the low left corner by the diving CMU keeper.
For the half, UB controlled most of play as they held the 9-3 advantage in shots. Defensively, the Bulls did not allow any quality scoring chances to the Chippewas.
Early on in the second half, Benati saw her blast of a shot from 15-yards out ring off the cross bar and out of harm's way. Only two minutes later, Niper had her shot saved by the diving CMU keeper to preserve the 1-0 UB lead.
In the 55th minute, junior Jackie Hall made a huge defensive play as she knocker her opponent off the ball as the forward attempted to go in all alone on the Bulls keeper. Hall's strong play continued for the Bulls down the stretch of the game.
The Chippewas had a great chance in the 70th minute of play but Laura Dougall stood tall and made a nice sliding save on a CMU breakaway effort.
In the 85th minute, Niper appeared to extend the Bulls lead to 2-0 as she headed the ball past the CMU keeper but UB was flagged for offside, negating the nice goal. The Bulls defense hung tough in the final five minutes to preserve the teams 10th shutout of the season, ranking them second in program history for shutouts in a season.
In goal, Dougall continued her solid play as she finished with three saves in her ninth victory of the season. The 1-0 victory also gave Dougall nine clean sheets on the season, ranking her second in program history for shutouts in a season. She is one shutout shy of tying Ainsley Wheldon's program record of 10 shutouts during the 2011 season. Dougall's nine victories also rank her third in program history for wins in a season.
For the game, UB held the 17-4 advantage in shots along with the slim 3-2 lead in corner kicks.
Following the match, Mann as awarded the "Player of the Match" award by the UB coaching staff after another strong performance in the midfield for the Bulls. Mann was all over the field for UB as she helped the Bulls allow only three shots on goal for the game.
When asked about the play of Mann, head coach Shawn Burke stated, "I Can't say enough about the play of Courtney Mann this afternoon. The effort she gives day in and day out is unmatched."
PLAYER OF THE MATCH (Through 14 games)
St. Bonaventure – Jackie Hall
Canisius - Angel Hart
Duquesne – Sophie Therien
Drexel – Courtney Mann
Niagara – Jackie Hall
#3 Virginia Tech – Ashley Evans and Courtney Mann
Cornell - Julia Benati
Kent State - Katie Roberts
Ohio – Alex Lambert
Bowling Green – Kassidy Kidd
Eastern Michigan – Celina Carrero
Northern Illinois – Kassidy Kidd
Western Michigan - Andrea Niper
Central Michigan – Courtney Mann
The Bulls will remain on the road on Sunday as they will travel to Toledo for a showdown with the Rockets. The game is set for a 1:00 pm start.
Team Stats
CARRERO, Celina (4)
shot off of rebound into bottom right co
5:30
