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Thursday, October 28
Buffalo, NY
3:00 PM
12-3-3, 6-2-3
1
vs
0
Akron
3-15-1, 1-9-1
1
2
F
Akron
0
0
0
Buffalo
0
1
1
Bulls Defeat Akron 1-0 in Regular Season Finale, Clinch No. 4 Seed in MAC Tournament
10/28/2021 6:14:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo women's soccer team (12-3-3, 6-2-3 MAC) defeated Akron 1-0 in the regular season finale at UB Stadium on Thursday afternoon. With the win the Bulls clinched the fourth seed in the 2021 Mid-American Conference tournament and will host fifth-seeded Central Michigan in the quarterfinals on Sunday at 1pm.
It was a slow start to the game for both teams before Buffalo would get it going as Marcy Barberic put a ball on net and Penelope Cuirinier knocked it back out and then Alya Ruken got off a shot, but it was cleared away by the Zips' defense.
Sophomore Ashlyn O'Shea provided a spark off the bench for UB as she found herself with a great look in the 36th minute from about 25 yards out and ripped a shot on net, but Cuirinie made a great leaping save to knock the ball out of play. UB would have one last chance in the final seconds of the half as Taylor Caridi broke free up the sideline and fired a shot across the box, but it rolled just wide and the game would remain scoreless at the break.
The Bulls came out aggressive to open the second half starting with a great look from Leah Wengender in the 49th minute but Cuirinie made a save and Wengender's second effort missed wide. Later, in the 67th minute, Annie Judasz played a great ball on target, but Cuirinie was there for the save once again.
Buffalo would break through in the 74th minute as Barberic played a ball to Abbey Callaghan and she powered a big ball up to Caridi who fired the game-winner into the bottom left corner of the net to secure the 1-0 victory.
The Bulls outshot the Zips 19-3 overall, including an 10-2 edge in shots on goal, while also holding a 5-0 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Kelly made a pair of saves on the day while Cuirinie made nine stops for Akron. Junior Payton Robertson was named Player of the Game by the UB coaches after leading UB to its eighth clean sheet of the season.
"We talked as a team that the playoffs started before today," said head coach Shawn Burke. "We had to have that mindset because it is important to play at home. It takes away the travel, we play on a surface with which we are familiar, and we stay in our routine so winning today was huge for us. It's a battle every year with Akron and they always make it difficult for you. At the end of the day, we got one more than them and that's all you need."
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.
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It was a slow start to the game for both teams before Buffalo would get it going as Marcy Barberic put a ball on net and Penelope Cuirinier knocked it back out and then Alya Ruken got off a shot, but it was cleared away by the Zips' defense.
Sophomore Ashlyn O'Shea provided a spark off the bench for UB as she found herself with a great look in the 36th minute from about 25 yards out and ripped a shot on net, but Cuirinie made a great leaping save to knock the ball out of play. UB would have one last chance in the final seconds of the half as Taylor Caridi broke free up the sideline and fired a shot across the box, but it rolled just wide and the game would remain scoreless at the break.
The Bulls came out aggressive to open the second half starting with a great look from Leah Wengender in the 49th minute but Cuirinie made a save and Wengender's second effort missed wide. Later, in the 67th minute, Annie Judasz played a great ball on target, but Cuirinie was there for the save once again.
Buffalo would break through in the 74th minute as Barberic played a ball to Abbey Callaghan and she powered a big ball up to Caridi who fired the game-winner into the bottom left corner of the net to secure the 1-0 victory.
The Bulls outshot the Zips 19-3 overall, including an 10-2 edge in shots on goal, while also holding a 5-0 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Kelly made a pair of saves on the day while Cuirinie made nine stops for Akron. Junior Payton Robertson was named Player of the Game by the UB coaches after leading UB to its eighth clean sheet of the season.
"We talked as a team that the playoffs started before today," said head coach Shawn Burke. "We had to have that mindset because it is important to play at home. It takes away the travel, we play on a surface with which we are familiar, and we stay in our routine so winning today was huge for us. It's a battle every year with Akron and they always make it difficult for you. At the end of the day, we got one more than them and that's all you need."
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.
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Team Stats
AKR
BUF
Goals
0
1
Shots
3
19
Shots on Goal
2
10
Saves
9
2
Corners
0
5
Fouls
10
6
Scoring Plays
Taylor Caridi (3)
Assisted By: Marcy Barberic , Abbey Callaghan
GOAL by BUF Caridi, Taylor Assist by Barberic, Marcy and Callaghan, Abbey.
73:09
Game Leaders
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
6
SOG
3
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M/F
/ Women's SoccerD/M
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M/D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerM
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