Bulls Clinch No. 2 Seed in MAC Tournament with a Draw at Central Michigan

Thursday, October 31

Mount Pleasant, MI

3:00pm

10-1-7, 5-1-5

Central Michigan

5-8-5, 3-4-4

Buffalo

Central Michigan

Bulls Clinch No. 2 Seed in MAC Tournament with a Draw at Central Michigan

10/31/2024 7:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI – In blustery conditions, the University at Buffalo women's soccer team (10-1-7, 5-1-5 MAC) battled to a scoreless draw at the CMU Soccer Complex in the regular season finale on Thursday afternoon. With the result, the Bulls earn the number two seed, and a first-round bye, in next week's Mid-American Conference Tournament, hosted by Western Michigan.

UB had an early scoring chance in the ninth minute as Jasmine Guerber came up the right side and fired a shot in stride, but Allison LaPoint was there for the save.

Later, Buffalo had a free kick in the 24^th minute, with Maya Galko playing a ball into the box but the Chippewas knocked the ball clear and out of play.

The hosts got going just a couple minutes later as Ashley Scesniak drilled a shot from inside the box but Lexie Thompson made a fantastic leaping save to knock the ball up and over the crossbar.

The Chippewas continued to attack as Jaelyn Dobrowolski found space at the top of the box and ripped a low shot, but Thompson covered it up and then later, she stepped up once again to make another save in the 38^th minute and the game remained scoreless at the half.

The Bulls created scoring chances out of the break as Guerber found space up the left side and played a shot back across the box, but it clanged off the top right corner of the crossbar.
Ten minutes later, Galko took a free kick and curled a shot on net, but LaPoint was there for the save. Then, in the 81^st minute, Kaylin Ricci settled a ball at the top of the box and ripped a shot, but the attempt rolled wide left of target and out of play.

Senior Arianna Zumpano had a great look in the 88^th minute as she got behind the CMU defense and looked to get a shot off, but LaPoint met her at the ball and made the save and then a late shot attempt by Ashley Reyes in the final minute missed high and right and the game ended in a draw.

Buffalo outshot Central Michigan 12-9, including 11-2 in the second half with four shots on goal. Thompson turned in another stellar performance, making six saves in her 11^th shutout of the season.

"Really proud of the group effort," said head coach Shawn Burke. "It's windy at UB Stadium, but the wind today was just on a different level. I think the way our players managed the conditions, it had to get ugly at times. I honestly thought we were going to get one there late. I'm really proud of the group for their composure and the chances we created, and I think this the kind of momentum we want going into playoffs."

Up next, Buffalo face the winner of No. 3 Ohio and No. 6 Bowling Green in the semifinal round on Thursday, November 7 in Kalamazoo. The Bobcats and Falcons will face off in the quarterfinal round on Sunday, November 3 at 1pm.

For all the latest on UB women's soccer, follow @UBWomensSoccer on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Soccer Facebook page.

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