Buffalo Women's Soccer moves to 1-1 in the MAC with 1-0 win over Kent State

That's better.

In almost a mirror image of Friday's loss to Ohio, Women's Soccer this afternoon topped Kent State 1-0 behind sophomore Julia Benati's third goal of the season midway through the first half.

Friday evening, UB had a goal waved off, fell down, and then couldn't crack Ohio's defense despite generally playing stronger than their opponents in the second half. Today was similar, but it was the host Bulls scoring midway through the first half and then bunkering down as Kent State generally had the better of the game after halftime.

To some extent, we want to see more than a single goal, especially given the seasonlong inconsistency and struggles in offense. I'm also happy, though, to win games 1-0, and the defense has shown against better teams that it can lock down and get that shutout. I would be perfectly fine with the season if UB wins half their remaining games 1-0, and then wins three straight 1-0 games in early November.

We did see some lineup shifts today, as Dana Lytle (Meghan Simmons), Moira Petrie (Kassidy Kidd), and Rebecca Bramble (Carissima Cutrona) started in place of some recent regulars. I know the Kidd was hurt against West Virginia and may still be banged up. Bramble offers some physicality up top that we haven't seen without Katie Roberts, and Lytle has generally looked improved this year in mixed sub and starter's minutes.

Bramble and Cutrona led the Bulls with two shots a piece, while Laura Dougall made five saves and is now T-4th in career wins (21) and just two shutouts (currently 18) away from 2nd in the UB books. Kidd earned her fourth assist of the season, matching her previous career high.

If a replay becomes available, I may have more in this space, but probably not until later. For now, UB is 1-1 in conference and hits the road next weekend for matches at Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green.