Buffalo Bulls Women’s Soccer Recap: The women get back on track with 2-0 win over Bowling Green

After a rough start to MAC play, Buffalo is back on track thanks to taking a 2-0 advantage over Bowling Green. The timing is perfect since the Bulls really needed a win to start salvaging a decent season since they were 0-2-0 in conference play.

Coming into the game, Buffalo had failed to score in three consecutive matches. Luckily, the half opened up with an offensive rejuvenation for Buffalo. UB’s midfield put a strangled hold on any shred of offense the Falcons tried to produce in the first half.

UB’s offense really fell into place about seven minutes into the half where the Bulls kept forcing corners. By the eight minute mark, Buffalo had scored their first goal of the night off of a perfectly delivered cross by Ashley Evans to give a strong header opportunity that Andrea Niper would convert. Unfortunately, this was Buffalo’s only goal of the half despite many high chance opportunities including a missed right-to-left connection from Rebecca Bramble to Jessica Marlowe inches from the goal.

The second half brought a stronger challenge to Buffalo’s defense. Bowling Green definitely appeared to make the necessary adjustments to bring some kick into their offense but Buffalo continued to show who had the better offense on the night. Buffalo still lead the Falcons 13-5 in shots by the end of the match.

The Bulls soon brought in their second goal of the night in the 59th minute of play. Carissima Cutrona easily sent in a shot high into the upper portion of the net and gave Bowling Green’s goalie no time to react thanks to a nicely timed pass by Nicole Gerritz on the right side of the field. The goal is Cutrona’s seventh of the season. With the win practically in hand, the Bulls held onto their lead for the rest of the half by playing much more conservatively.

The win brings some positive energy back into the picture for a Bulls squad that has been on the downtrend. Buffalo now moves to 4-5-2 overall and 1-2-0 in MAC play thanks to the win. The Bulls will be back in action on Sunday to take on Toledo at UB Stadium for another winnable matchup.