Bulls Head to MAC Semifinals Off Robertson’s Game-Winner

Sunday, October 31

Buffalo, NY

1:00 PM

13-3-3, 6-2-3

Central Michigan

9-8-1, 6-4-1

Central Mich.

Buffalo

Bulls Head to MAC Semifinals Off Robertson’s Game-Winner

10/31/2021 4:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Photo Gallery

BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo women's soccer junior midfielder Payton Robertson scored the game-winning goal in the 105^th minute of double overtime to defeat Central Michigan 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at UB Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

With the win, the Bulls improve to 13-3-3 on the year and advance to the MAC Tournament semifinals where they will face off against the top-seeded Bowling Green Falcons on Thursday, November 4 at 4pm in the first of the two semifinal matches.

It was a physical game early on and the Bulls rose to the challenge as Marcy Barberic had a great look from the top of the box just a few minutes in, but her shot sailed just high and out of play.

Buffalo would continue to attack in the ninth minute, and it would pay off as Gianna Yurchak got taken down in the box and Barberic converted on the ensuing penalty kick to give UB an early 1-0 lead.

Central Michigan had their first look of the game in the 11^th minute as Tess Ford was called for a foul in the box resulting in a penalty kick, but Emily Kelly made a fantastic save.

The Chippewas then tied the game in the 16^th minute as Yurchak was called for a handball in the box and Samii Kaye-Toral converted the penalty kick goal to even the game 1-1.

The Bulls continued to maintain possession the rest of the half and would have another scoring opportunity in the 35^th minute as Kaitlyn Walsh slid a ball through to Katherine Camper in front of the net but Allison LaPoint made a great save, and the game remained tied at the break.

It was a back-and-forth affair in the second half as neither team had many scoring chances, and the game would head to overtime knotted 1-1.

The first overtime period was a battle with each team recording just one shot as the contest headed to a second extra period. UB had a pair of great looks less than 30 seconds in off the feet of Annie Judasz and Barberic before the Bulls took their 12^th corner kick of the game and this time capitalized as Abbey Callaghan played a perfect ball into the box and Robertson leaped up and flicked a header into the top right corner of the net for the game-winner.

The Bulls outshot the Chippewas 15-9 overall, including a 7-3 edge in shots on goal, while also holding a 12-1 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Kelly made a pair of saves on the day while LaPoint made five stops for Central Michigan. There was nothing tricky in deciding the Player of the Game as the UB coaches deservedly gave the nod to Robertson.

"It's playoff time and you know how tough every game is going to be, so I told the team at the end that it's all about just advancing and winning the game and we did that," said head coach Shawn Burke. "Ton of credit to Jeremy and what Central is doing. They are so hard to break down. The performance they put forth today, you feel a little bit for them to come out on the wrong end. Really gritty performance, going into that last overtime we said, 'hey who wants to be the hero' and Payton stepped up to the plate and delivered."

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.