Bulls Play To 1-1 Draw at Northern Illinois on Sunday

Sunday, October 17

DeKalb, IL

2:00 PM

University at Buffalo

10-3-2, 4-2-2

Northern Illinois

4-10-2, 1-5-2

Buffalo

Northern Illinois

Bulls Play To 1-1 Draw at Northern Illinois on Sunday

10/17/2021 5:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

DEKALB, IL – The University at Buffalo women's soccer team played to a 1-1 double overtime draw at Northern Illinois on Sunday afternoon. With the tie the Bulls move to 10-3-2 on the year and 4-2-2 in league play.

The Bulls got on the board first in the eighth minute as Marcy Barberic played a great ball across the box to Alya Ruken who ripped a shot and a Huskies' defender was whistled for a hand ball in the box. Barberic converted the ensuing penalty kick to give UB an early 1-0 lead.

Barberic continued to attack as she has a good look in the box and got off a good shot but Julia Lentz made a diving save. The Bulls had another great chance in the 39^th minute as Kaya Schultz got the ball off a UB corner kick and ripped a shot that banged off the crossbar and out of play.

The Buffalo defense held strong throughout the opening half, allowing just one shot on goal. The Bulls had an 8-3 advantage in shots and a 2-0 edge in corner kick opportunities at the break.

The Bulls had some scoring opportunities early in the second half but could not convert and that would prove to be costly as the Huskies would tie the game in the 55^th minute as Grace Louis got behind the UB defense and knocked home the equalizer.

Buffalo would continue to attack as they had a back-to-back corner kick opportunities in the 82^nd minute but were unable to convert on either attempt. Barberic had a good look just a few minutes later as she poked the ball loose and fired a shot across the box, but Lentz was there for the save and the game would head to overtime.

The Bulls came up empty on two corner kick opportunities in the first overtime period before Olivia Bizzoni had a pair of great looks in the final minute but was unable to convert and the game headed to a second overtime, where the two teams combined for just three shots, none on goal, as the game ended in a tie.

On the game, Buffalo out shot Northern Illinois 23-8, including a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal and a 9-1 edge in corner kicks. Senior Emily Kelly made two saves on the night while Lentz made five saves for the Huskies. Barberic was named Player of the Game by the UB coaches.

"NIU is always a tough place to play, and they made things really difficult for us today," said head coach Shawn Burke. "We have to find ways to be better in the final thirds if we want to continue into November."

Buffalo returns to action on Thursday, October 21 when they travel to defending MAC champion Bowling Green for a clash with the Falcons at 7pm.