
Women's Soccer Collects Decisive 2-0 Victory Over Cross-Town Rival Canisius
8/24/2014 12:00:00β―AM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's soccer team (2-0-0, 0-0-0 MAC) picked up their second straight victory over a Big Four foe on Sunday afternoon at UB Stadium as they downed Canisius 2-0 in decisive fashion. The Bulls dominated the match from the opening kick, owning a 36-11 advantage in shots.
"I can't be more pleased with this weekend and the overall team performance," said first-year head coach Shawn Burke. "Every player that we have asked to step in and play has performed for us and that's a great luxury to have. It was great way to wrap up the first weekend with a dominant performance even though the score sheet may not represent that. I thought we really showed what UB women's soccer was today."
The Bulls are now 2-0 to start the season for the first time since the 2011 season when they started out 3-0. Freshman goalkeeper Laura Dougall earned her second career shutout in as many games as she recorded a career-high seven saves in the victory.
The Bulls jumped on Canisius early on and they were able to break through with the first goal of the game in the 23rd minute. Katie Roberts started the play with a blast from the right of the goalkeeper that deflected off her hands and right to the right foot of Celina Carrero who buried the ball in the back of the net for her first of the season.
The Bulls second goal came with 16 seconds remaining in the opening half as Megan Abman found the loose ball in front of the Golden Griffins goal and deposited it in the back of the net. Rachel Cook blasted a shot off the post from 10 yards out and it eventually found Abman all alone to the right of the keeper for the goal.
Following halftime, the Golden Griffins came out with more aggressiveness and Dougall made her best save of the game in the 52nd minute. Canisius sent a perfect cross into the box where Jenny Paggione was able to get a head on the ball but Dougall stood tall and made the quick save, preserving the Bulls 2-0 lead.
Buffalo took over the match down the stretch as Roberts had three brilliant chances to make the score 3-0 but she was unable to break through with her first tally of the season. In the 75th minute, Roberts was in close but her shot attempt was denied by the Golden Griffins keeper, Brigid St. Leger. A minute later her low shot attempt was pushed away after a nice diving effort.
The UB defensive unit of Jackie Hall, Angel Hart, Kristin Markiewicz and Sophie Therien were solid once again for the Bulls as they helped secure the second straight clean sheet for Dougall. Kassidy Kidd and Courtney Mann also had strong defensive games for the Bulls as they have not allowed a goal through the first two games of the season.
For the game, the Bulls completely dominated the Golden Griffins as they held the 36-11 advantage in shots and the 11-5 advantage in corner kicks. Nine of the Bulls 11 starter recorded at least one shot including a team-high nine shot attempts by Roberts.
St. Leger was very solid in net for the Golden Griffins as she made a season-high 14 saves in the defeat.
The Bulls will hit the road for their first match away from UB Stadium on Friday, Aug. 29 as they will travel to play Duquesne at 7:00 pm.
Team Stats

CARRERO, Celina (1)
Assisted By: ROBERTS, Katie
GOAL by BUF CARRERO, Celina (FIRST GOAL), Assist by ROBERTS, Katie, goal number 1 for season.
23:31

ABMAN, Megan (1)
GOAL by BUF ABMAN, Megan, goal number 1 for season.
44:44