2-0-1
Duquesne
1-1-1
Women's Soccer Still Unbeaten; Draws Even With Duquesne, 0-0
8/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
PITTSBURGH, PA – The University at Buffalo women's soccer team extended their unbeaten streak to three games to open the season on Friday night at Duquesne as they tied the Dukes, 0-0. The Bulls are unbeaten through three games for the first time since the 2011 season.
"Duquesne was the toughest test we have had so far this season" said first-year head coach Shawn Burke. "I am happy with how we battled tonight to earn one point. We will make some adjustments tomorrow and we will be ready to take on Drexel at home on Sunday."
Freshman goalkeeper Laura Dougall continued her solid play for the Bulls as she made five saves to preserve her third straight shut out to start her collegiate career. The Bulls defense and Dougall have held their three opponents scoreless through 290 minutes.
UB had a majority of the chances to score in the two overtime periods but they were not able to beat the Dukes goalkeeper. Katie Roberts had the best chance of the first overtime for the Bulls as she took a Courtney Mann pass but her right-footed shot went wide of the goal.
In a half that saw the Bulls maintain most of the possession, Julia Benati proved to be the most effective player for UB as she recorded three shots in the opening 45 minutes. Benati had a chance in the 11th minute that just missed the lower right corner and then in the 39th minute her blast from 20 yards out just missed the top left corner, floating just over the cross bar.
Dougall was solid in the first half as she was asked to make three saves on Duquesne chances, most of which coming from non-threatening positions because of solid defense from the likes of Jackie Hall, Sophie Therien and Kristin Markiewicz.
The Dukes came out strong in the second half as they outshot the Bulls 8-5. Their best chance of the period came in the 59th minute following a questionable foul call just outside the box. Kahli Hale took the ensuing free kick and hit the cross bar and went out of play.
The Bulls best chance to score in the second half came in the 79th minute as Kassidy Kidd sent a header just wide of the open goal following a perfectly placed free kick off the foot of Therien.
For the game, the Bulls held the 14-13 advantage in shots while the corner kicks were even at three. Playing in 31 minutes off the bench, Alex Lambert gave the Bulls a nice spark off the bench as she recorded one shot and multiple other chances.
Following the game, Therien was awarded the "Player of the Match" award by the UB coaching staff after a great game defensively to preserve the clean sheet for Dougall.
The Bulls will return to UB Stadium on Sunday afternoon as they will play host to Drexel at 12:00 pm.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH (Through three games)
St. Bonaventure – Jackie Hall
Canisius - Angel Hart
Duquesne – Sophie Therien
