Bulls Host Western Michigan, Travel to Northern Illinois This Week

Thursday, October 14

Buffalo, NY

7:00 PM

University at Buffalo

Western Michigan

Bulls Host Western Michigan, Travel to Northern Illinois This Week

10/13/2021 1:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer

GAME COVERAGE:
Thursday – Buffalo vs. Western Michigan – 7:00 PM – Live Stats - Watch
Sunday – Buffalo at Northern Illinois – 12:00 PM – Live Stats - Watch

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's soccer team (9-3-1, 3-2-1 MAC) continues Mid-American Conference play this week with a pair of games. The Bulls will host Western Michigan on "Ted Lasso Night" at UB Stadium on Thursday night at 7pm before traveling to DeKalb, IL for a clash with the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sunday afternoon.

Thursday night will also kick off #One4Mon Weekend, held by the Division of Athletics, to increase awareness and help generate donations for UB volleyball player Monika Simkova, who remains hospitalized for more than two months, battling a rare infection, which resulted in a bilateral above the knee amputation. For more information on Monika's story and to donate to her GoFundMe: click here.

On Thursday, it will be the 29^th meeting between Buffalo and Western Michigan with the series knotted at 11-11-6. The Bulls defeated the Broncos 2-1 in overtime in their last meeting in 2019.

On Sunday, Buffalo and Northern Illinois will also meet for the 24^th time with the Bulls owning an 11-9-3 series advantage. The Bulls have outscored the Huskies by 10 goals in the last two meetings between the team.

Buffalo split a pair of games last week as the Bulls picked up a thrilling 2-1 win at Eastern Michigan on Thursday before conceding a goal in the final minute to drop a close contest against Central Michigan on Sunday. Graduate student Marcy Barberic leads the Bulls with seven goals and two assists while Arianna Zumpano has scored three goals and Katherine Camper, Hannah Callaghan, Gianna Yurchak, Leah Wengender and Taylor Caridi have all netted a pair of goals. The Bulls lead the MAC in shots on goal per game (7.31) and assists per game (2.08) and rank second in scoring offense (1.92), points per game (5.92) and total goals (25). Senior Emily Kelly has led UB between the pipes with 49 saves, while recording 1.08 goals against average and a .759 save percentage.

Western Michigan enters Thursday's match with a 3-10 overall record and a 1-5 MAC record after dropping a pair of games to Ohio and Kent State last week. The Broncos are led offensively by fifth year player Bailey Korthorn who has recorded five goals and an assist while sophomore Jenna Blackburn and freshman Mary Dziuba have scored three goals each. In net, Western Michigan is led by fifth year Maggie Rogers who has made 70 saves and owns a 2.57 goals against average in 12 starts.

Northern Illinois enters the weekend with a 4-10-1 overall record and a 1-5-1 MAC mark after playing to a scoreless double overtime draw at Akron on Thursday. The Broncos are led offensively by graduate student Haley Hoppe who has scored six goals on the year while three other players have recorded two goals. Junior Sadie McGill has led Northern Illinois between the pipes, compiling a 1.76 goals against average and 71 saves in 12 starts. She also leads the MAC with over six saves per game.

Following weekend play, the Bulls will stay on the road for a clash at defending MAC champion Bowling Green on Thursday, October 21 at 7pm.

For the latest updates and behind the scenes look at the Buffalo women's soccer program, make sure to follow them on Twitter and Instagram at @UBWomensSoccer.