BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Kent State women’s soccer team (12-7-0, 6-5-0 MAC) dropped a 1-0 decision at Buffalo Thursday afternoon on a blustery day at UB Stadium in the regular season finale for both teams. Sleet and light snow flurries fell throughout the game as kickoff temperatures hovered around 35 degrees.

 

Needing a victory to guarantee a spot in the 2011 Mid-American Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament, Buffalo (11-4-4, 4-3-4 MAC) scored the game’s lone goal in the 36^th minute.

 

With the result, Kent State will now return the favor and host Buffalo in the quarterfinal round of the MAC tournament Sunday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. at Zoeller Field. The Golden Flashes will be the No. 4 seed in the eight-team tournament, while Buffalo will be the No. 5 seed.

 

Buffalo set the tempo out of the gate, as the Bulls out-shot Kent State 12-1 in the first half. Kent State goalkeeper Kelly Sherwood (Strongsville, Ohio) made four saves in the first half.

 

“The team realizes they didn’t put forth the necessary effort today,” said Kent State head coach Rob Marinaro. “We just didn’t play with the fight we know we have.”

 

Kent State battled back in the second stanza, firing five of their six shots on goal in the second half. Buffalo goalkeeper Ainsley Wheldon was up to the challenge finishing with six saves for the shutout.

 

Kent State forward Megan Repas (Avon, Ohio) led all players with three shots on goal on the day. Buffalo finished with an 18-7 shots advantage, but both teams tallied six shots on goal.