Bulls Defeat Mercyhurst 2-0 on Sunday

Sunday, August 16

Erie, PA

3:00 pm

University at Buffalo

2-0-0, 0-0-0

Mercyhurst

0-2-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Buffalo	1	1	2
Mercyhurst	0	0	0

Photo by: Cameron Horning

Bulls Defeat Mercyhurst 2-0 on Sunday

8/16/2026 5:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

ERIE, PA – The University at Buffalo women's soccer team (2-0) picked up a second straight win to open the season with a 2-0 victory over Mercyhurst at Saxon Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Bulls were led by a pair of freshmen as Alexis Kochan and Emma Patti both recorded their first career goals in the win.

Buffalo were the aggressors early on and had a couple good looks in the first 15 minutes of play as Sofia Mastracci wove through defense and fired a shot across the box that trickled right of target before Stephanie Tator put her defender in the spin cycle and curled a shot from 15 yards out that clanged off crossbar and out of play.

Tator was at it again a few minutes later as she broke free and ripped a shot on target, but Adri Lika was there to make the save. A minute later, Adriana Victoriano found Jessie Bernabe at the top of the box and she one-timed a shot, but it sailed high and out of play.

The Bulls broke through in the 37^th minute as Victoriano raced up the right side and played a ball into the middle to Gabriella Capra who then tapped it back Kochan and she drilled a shot past a diving Lika and into the bottom left corner of the net to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.

Buffalo continued in attack mode out of the locker room as Maya Bright, playing in her first game as a Bull, got a pass and drilled a shot from point blank range but the Lakers' defense was able to knock it away and then a couple minutes later, Capra found space and ripped a shot on target, but Lika made the save.

The Bulls added to their lead in the 64^th minute as Mae Hunt took a free kick and played a perfect ball into the box to the head of Eva Blatz who didn't quite get all of it, but Patti was there to knock home the rebound to put UB up 2-0.

The Bulls dominated the stat sheet as they outshot Mercyhurst 20-3 on the night, including an 11-2 advantage in shots on goal, while also earning maintaining a 6-1 edge in corner kick opportunities. Senior Lexie Thompson notched her second straight shutout with two saves on the day, while Lika made four stops for the Lakers.

"Proud of the group for finding a way to win," said head coach Shawn Burke. "Hopefully we learn and become a better team at putting games away, but it was another game where we showcased our depth and having two freshmen on the score sheet is always nice."

Up next, Buffalo will travel to Arizona for a pair of matches, beginning on Thursday, August 20 at Grand Canyon. Kickoff at GCU Stadium is set for 10pm (EST).

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.

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