Barring a surprising Bowling Green win over Akron this evening, UB and Western Michigan were destined for a rematch in the MAC semifinal regardless of today's result, which saw the Broncos hold on to a 1-0 lead for victory after Sean Conerty scored on a 45-yard free kick in the 18th minute.
I did not watch the first half because I thought WMU's video stream was behind a paywall, but outside of Conerty's goal, which deflected into the net even though Buffalo goalie Joe Kuta got his hands on it, the livestats paint an even picture. Buffalo managed four shots on goal to Western's five, and the Broncos managed the only corner of the game.
UB looked stronger in the second half once I was watching, especially when they worked more on a build-up game than hitting long balls hoping for possession and hold-up. WMU outshot the Bulls 6-1, mostly from Conerty, but the Bulls did enjoy more chances into the box. Each goalie - Kuta and Broncos senior Chase Rau, who started in place of standout Drew Shepherd - made three saves, but Kuta's were in more dangerous situations while Rau's best plays snuffed out Buffalo chances before the Bulls could get a shot.
The most significant implications of this match, in which neither team scored in the run of play, was yellow card accumulation. Four Bulls - Nicolay Netskar, Steven Stryker, Nick Forrester, and Scott Doney - received yellows, and unless I'm miscounting Doney will miss next weekend's MAC semifinal - again, most likely against WMU - after picking up his fifth of the season.
I assume that the semifinal will take place on Friday, but as far as I'm aware a time has not yet been set.