Wednesday, August 12
Buffalo, NY
7:00pm
University at Buffalo
vs
Niagara
Bulls Host Niagara in Season Opener on Wednesday
8/11/2026 3:48:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo women's soccer team hosts Big 4 rival Niagara in a showdown under the lights at Broadview Stadium for the regular season opener on Wednesday night.
It is the 44th meeting between Buffalo and Niagara with the Bulls holding a 29-12-2 series advantage. The Bulls have won five straight meetings with the Purple Eagles, most recently a 2-0 win at Niagara Field last season.
The roster features eight freshmen and four transfers and includes a total of 17 underclassmen, making them one of the younger teams in the league and nation. Buffalo returns just six starters and will be looking to a bevy of fresh faces for production on both ends of the pitch.
The strength of any UB squad has always been the backline, and this year will be no different, albeit with some new faces. The Bulls ranked in the top 25 nationally in goals against average (0.68) while also ranking in the top 50 in the nation in shutout percentage (.474) a season ago.
Offensively, senior Laiken Kiser returns after a breakout junior campaign in which she recorded five goals, including two multi-goal performances, and 10 points while ranking third on the team in shots (22). Senior Eva Blatz also had a banner year a season ago, scoring the first two goals of her career, including a game-winner, while recording 21 shots, good for fourth-best on the team. 2026 All-Freshman team selection Adriana Victoriano also returns after a solid rookie season in which she notched a pair of goals and fellow sophomores Maddy Murphy and Jessie Bernabe are also looking to take on bigger roles after scoring their first career goals last season.
The Bulls will be led between the pipes by two-time MAC Goalkeeper of the Year Lexie Thompson, who continues to prove that she is one of the best keepers in the nation. She is coming off a solid junior campaign in which she recorded a 12-5-2 overall record and ranked in the top three in the MAC and in the top 30 nationally in goals against average (0.69) and shutouts (8) while ranking fourth in the league in save percentage (.803) across 19 contests. The Levittown, NY native currently ranks first in program history in career goals against average (0.70), third in shutouts (21) and fourth in wins (27).
Niagara was picked to finish 10th in the 2026 Metro Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' poll after finishing the 2025 season with a 6-8-2 overall record and 3-7-2 in league play. They return 12 players, including four of their top five point scorers from a season ago, led by junior forward Caitlyn Gratto who scored seven goals and senior Baillie Colling who added four goals. Sophomore Julia Poissant returns for the Purple Eagles between the pipes after compiling a 6-8-2 overall record with a 2.12 goals against average and .653 save percentage last year.
For all the latest on UB Women's Soccer Team, follow the team on Twitter/X and Instagram at @UBuffaloWSOC and like the UB Women's Soccer Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
It is the 44th meeting between Buffalo and Niagara with the Bulls holding a 29-12-2 series advantage. The Bulls have won five straight meetings with the Purple Eagles, most recently a 2-0 win at Niagara Field last season.
The roster features eight freshmen and four transfers and includes a total of 17 underclassmen, making them one of the younger teams in the league and nation. Buffalo returns just six starters and will be looking to a bevy of fresh faces for production on both ends of the pitch.
The strength of any UB squad has always been the backline, and this year will be no different, albeit with some new faces. The Bulls ranked in the top 25 nationally in goals against average (0.68) while also ranking in the top 50 in the nation in shutout percentage (.474) a season ago.
Offensively, senior Laiken Kiser returns after a breakout junior campaign in which she recorded five goals, including two multi-goal performances, and 10 points while ranking third on the team in shots (22). Senior Eva Blatz also had a banner year a season ago, scoring the first two goals of her career, including a game-winner, while recording 21 shots, good for fourth-best on the team. 2026 All-Freshman team selection Adriana Victoriano also returns after a solid rookie season in which she notched a pair of goals and fellow sophomores Maddy Murphy and Jessie Bernabe are also looking to take on bigger roles after scoring their first career goals last season.
The Bulls will be led between the pipes by two-time MAC Goalkeeper of the Year Lexie Thompson, who continues to prove that she is one of the best keepers in the nation. She is coming off a solid junior campaign in which she recorded a 12-5-2 overall record and ranked in the top three in the MAC and in the top 30 nationally in goals against average (0.69) and shutouts (8) while ranking fourth in the league in save percentage (.803) across 19 contests. The Levittown, NY native currently ranks first in program history in career goals against average (0.70), third in shutouts (21) and fourth in wins (27).
Niagara was picked to finish 10th in the 2026 Metro Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' poll after finishing the 2025 season with a 6-8-2 overall record and 3-7-2 in league play. They return 12 players, including four of their top five point scorers from a season ago, led by junior forward Caitlyn Gratto who scored seven goals and senior Baillie Colling who added four goals. Sophomore Julia Poissant returns for the Purple Eagles between the pipes after compiling a 6-8-2 overall record with a 2.12 goals against average and .653 save percentage last year.
For all the latest on UB Women's Soccer Team, follow the team on Twitter/X and Instagram at @UBuffaloWSOC and like the UB Women's Soccer Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
D/M
/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
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