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Women's Soccer Makes Big Jump In RPI Rankings; Ranked 47th In Country
10/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY – In the sixth edition of the crucial NCAA Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) released on Monday afternoon, the State University of New York, Buffalo women's soccer team (12-2-3, 8-0-2 MAC) climbed 20 spots, earning a program-best ranking of 47th overall.
"I am so proud of everything these girls have accomplished so far this season," stated head coach Shawn Burke, when asked about the new RPI rankings. "Our current RPI ranking is recognition for all their hard work and dedication to attain our ultimate goal of an NCAA Tournament appearance."
RPI is based on a teams wins, losses and strength of schedule and it is a determining factor in which teams will earn at-large berths to the NCAA tournament. The Bulls currently own a 12-2-3 overall record and a 8-0-2 conference mark, the best start in MAC play in program history.
The Bulls are now the highest ranked Mid-American Conference School in the rankings at 47th overall. UB is now ahead of both teams they beat this weekend in Miami (OH) who ranks 59th and Ball State who comes in at 109th.
UB is coming off of an impressive 2-0 weekend in which they defeated two of the top teams in the conference en route to their second MAC regular season championship in program history. The Bulls are now unbeaten in their last 10 matches and own a program-best MAC record of 8-0-2.
On Friday, the Bulls pulled out a 2-1 victory over Ball State behind a pair of goals by leading scorer Katie Roberts. Roberts was awarded a penalty kick in the first overtime and she converted for her fifth game-winning marker of the season. She now has two multi-goal games on the season.
In the conference title clinching 2-0 victory on Sunday against Miami, the Bulls completely dominated the RedHawks, earning their 12th clean sheet of the season, tying a program record for shutouts in a season. Angel Hart recorded her first career game-winning goal in the opening half. Hart found a corner off the foot of Kassidy Kidd and beat the Miami keeper for the second goal of her career. Roberts put the game away in the second half with her conference-leading 10th goal on a perfectly placed shot into the top left corner of the net.
The Buffalo defense has been their strength all season long as the backline of Jackie Hall, Sophie Therien, Kristin Markiewicz and Hart have helped earn the Bulls a program record 12 clean sheets on the season. Freshman goalkeeper Laura Dougall has been superb between the pipes for UB as she owns a 12-1-3 overall record, a goals-against average of 0.36 and 11 clean sheets. Her .915 save percentage and her 0.36 goals-against average rank her first in the MAC and inside the top five nationally.
Roberts, three-time MAC Offensive Player of the Week, leads the Bulls offense, as she has racked up three goals in her last two matches. Roberts currently leads the MAC in goals with 10 and points with 22. Celina Carrero is also having a career season for UB as she has racked up three goals and two assists in her last four games. The sophomore has a total of six goals and five assists while notching three game-winning goals on the season. Freshman Julia Benati has been a pleasant surprise for the Bulls this season as she has accumulated three goals and four assists on the season.
Buffalo will aim to close out the regular season with a unbeaten record on Thursday, October 30 as they play host to the Akron Zips at 3:00 pm at UB Stadium. UB has already clinched the #1 seed and a home MAC quarterfinal game on Sunday, November 2 at 1:00 pm. The opponent has yet to be decided.
