Bulls Set To Host Western Michigan In The MAC Semifinals
11/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY - In a rematch of the 2014 Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship game, a game that UB defeated WMU 1-0 behind a Jackie Hall goal, the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York women's soccer team (11-6-3, 7-3-1 MAC) will take on the Western Michigan Broncos on Friday at 2:00 pm in Kalamazoo, MI at the WMU Soccer Complex. The MAC semifinal matchup will feature the #2 seeded Broncos and the #3 seeded Bulls, the MAC East regular season champions.
The reigning MAC Tournament champions enter Friday's semifinal match against the Broncos with an overall record of 11-6-3 and a MAC mark of 7-3-1. The Bulls advanced to their second consecutive MAC semifinal for the first time in program history on Sunday afternoon as UB defeated #6 Central Michigan 3-1 in penalty kicks. The win for the Bulls over the Chippewas was solidified in the shootout by sophomore goalkeeper Laura Dougall who made two huge stops on penalty attempts by CMU. All three UB players scored on their attempts, Brianna Shingary, Julia Benati and Carissima Cutrona while the Chippewas last shooter missed the net, giving UB the historic victory.
The Bulls turned their season around prior to their matchup with the Broncos on October 9 as UB head coach Shawn Burke made a few lineup tweaks that proved to be the difference in the season. Burke moved Kassidy Kidd up to forward while shifting Carissima Cutrona back to attacking midfielder while also switching Andrea Niper from center back to holding midfielder and Kristin Markiewicz from holding midfielder to center back. The changes have paid off for all players involved as well as the team, as they have earned a 5-1-2 overall record since making the switches.
Offensively the Bulls are led by a trio of All-MAC performers lead by Kidd who has notched a career-high six goals and six assists for 18 points. The senior has also notched 14 points in eight games since making the move up top for the Bulls. Julia Benati has notched six goals and three assists for 15 points while leading the MAC with five game-winning goals on the year. Two-time All-MAC second teamer Celina Carrero has began making plays for the Bulls as she has three goals and a team-high six assists on the season, moving into 11th place on the all-time assists list with 13 career helpers. Carrero has produced 11 points in her last nine games for UB.
The Bulls defense has continued to impress all season long as they are anchored by one of the best center backs in the country, first team All-MAC performer, Jackie Hall. Hall is joined by fellow All-MAC performer Brianna Shingary, MAC All-Freshman team, senior Kristin Markiewicz and junior Angel Hart on a back line that has helped preserve eight cleansheets on the year while allowing just 17 goals through 20 matches. Junior Andrea Niper has also had a hand in the Bulls strong defensive efforts this season.
In goal, sophomore Laura Dougall has continued her progression as one of the best keepers in the conference as she owns a 11-6-3 record to go along with a 0.77 goals-aganist average and a .858 save percentage while recording eight shutouts. Dougall has made a career-high 97 saves this season while recording at least five saves eight times for the Bulls. The Pickering, Ontario native is currently ranked first in career goals-against average (0.65) while being tied for first all-time with 21 shutouts and tied for second all-time with 27 career wins.
Last Match Against Western Michigan -
10/9/15 - T, 1-1 (2OT) at Western Michigan
The Bulls got on the board first just 24 seconds into the second half as Celina Carrero played Kassidy Kidd in on goal and the senior buried her first goal of the season at the 45:24 mark of the second half. The Broncos were able to get the equalizer in the 76th minute off of a corner kick as Lacey Zahn gathered the corner and buried the ball in the back of the net. In the final minute of play, Carissima Cutrona had a great chance to end the match but her hard shot rang off the cross bar and away, sending the two teams to overtime.
Neither side was able to produce the winning goal in the overtime periods as the two sides went home with a 1-1 draw.
MAC Semifinal Matchups
#8 Akron vs. #5 Miami (OH) - 11:00 am
#3 Buffalo vs. #2 Western Michigan - 2:00 pm
