Bulls Snap Losing Streak, Open Niagara Tourn

by Joe Kepler
September 17, 2012

 

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY - A goal from senior Taylor Thompson in the 60th minute would be all the Buffalo women's soccer team would need to break out of a brief losing streak and earn a 1-0 win over Robert Morris Friday afternoon. The game was held at Niagara University, as the Purple Eagles hosted its Fall Classic.

After taking 12 days to train and prepare since its last competition, a double-overtime loss to Niagara, the Bulls came out aggressive on offense and stifling on defense. The team attempted seven shots and put two on frame in the first 27 minutes of the game alone, and out shot the Colonials 14-6 in the match. On the back line, UB held its opponent to just one shot in the first half and yielded just three shots on goal for the game, all three of which were scooped up by goalie Ainsley Wheldon.

With the defense as stout as ever, the offense was able to work its way through another frustrating game. While the opportunities were abundant, the Colonials defense blocked four quality attempts and its goalie pushed away six other shots. But after losing three straight games by a score of 1-0, the Bulls were not to be denied.

In the 60th minute, Thompson gathered a blocked shot in the box and, with her back to the goal, flicked it into the lower right corner to give the team its first goal since the eighth minute of a 1-1 tie at St. Bonaventure on August 26. For the senior Thompson, it was her first goal of the season and the fifth of her career. Freshman Kassidy Kiddwas another menace for the Colonials defense, taking four shots on the day and putting three on frame.

The test will only get tougher in the team's final game of the weekend tournament, as Sunday brings a matchup against St. Francis (PA). The two teams will square off for the first time since 1994. The Red Flash is 2-3-1 this season and are led by junior standout Tesa McKibben, who is coming off a two goal, three assist performance in a win over Bucknell on Sept. 9. First kick is scheduled for 11 am on Sunday.

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