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Virginia Tech
Women's Soccer Drops First Match Of 2014 At #3 Virginia Tech, 5-0
9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's soccer team (4-1-1, 0-0-0 MAC) dropped their first match of the season on Friday afternoon on the road at #3 Virginia Tech by the score of 4-0. As the teams entered the 12th minute of action scoreless, the Bulls set a program record for shutout streak at 482 minutes.
"Virginia Tech is a great team," said head coach Shawn Burke. "Our girls gave it everything they had as they had a stacked deck with no healthy goalkeeper on the roster."
The Buffalo defense set a new program record with a scoreless streak of 493:55 minutes, breaking the previous record of 481 minutes set in the 2008 season. During the shutout streak, freshman goalkeeper Laura Dougall recorded four straight shutouts.
UB allowed their first goal of the season in the 23rd minute as the Hookies broke through with the first goal of the match. Murielle Tiernan scored her fifth goal of the young season on a header following a perfect cross from Alani Johnson.
Just 20 seconds after the Hookies took the lead, Katie Roberts had a great chance to tie the score at one but her attempt was saved by Caroline Kelly.
Virginia Tech took the momentum into the locker room as they scored in the 42nd minute to take the commanding 2-0 lead.
The Hookies started off the second half quick, jumping out to a 4-0 lead after a pair of goals within three minutes of each other. Tiernan headed in another goal while Madi Conyers picked up her second of the game as well.
The Hookies closed out their scoring in the 82nd minute as Erika Perez buried the ball behind the Bulls keeper.
For the game, the Hookies held the 23-2 advantage in shots along with the 10-1 advantage in corner kicks. Roberts and Angel Hart recorded the shots for the Bulls.
Making her first career start between the pipes for the Bulls, Ashley Evans was very solid as she finished with five saves in the loss. The Buffalo defense had a tough test with the #3 Hookies but they stood up to the test as Jackie Hall, Sophie Therien, Kristin Markiewicz and Courtney Mann all had solid games for the Bulls.
Following the match, Evans and Mann were awarded the "Player of the Match" award by the UB coaching staff after competing hard throughout the contest against one of the best teams in the nation.
When asked about Evans tonight, head coach Shawn Burke said "Ashley stepped up big time in her goalkeeping debut and I cannot talk enough about her willingness to step up for the team and play in goal."
When asked about Mann, Burke stated "Courtney is the heart of this group. Regardless of the score or situation she played with all her heart until the final whistle."
PLAYER OF THE MATCH (Through five 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
