Chippewa Drop First MAC Game

Friday, September 28

Buffalo, N.Y.

7:00 p.m. ET

Central Michigan University

4-7-0 (2-1-0MAC)

Buffalo

8-2-0 (2-1-0MAC)

Central Michigan

Buffalo

Photo by: Allissa Rusco

9/28/2018 9:58:00 PM | Soccer

Box Score

CMU looks to regroup on Sunday at Akron

By: Andy Glezen

Andy Glezen, CMUChippewas.com

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Buffalo scored just 19 seconds in on Friday and went on to hand Central Michigan a 2-0 loss in a Mid-American Conference game at the Bulls' UB Stadium.

It was the first MAC loss of the season for CMU, which is 2-1 in league play. The Chippewas, who had won three of their previous four starts heading into the Buffalo game, are 4-7 overall. Buffalo is 8-2, 2-1.

CMU completes its MAC weekend road trip on Sunday (1 p.m.) at Akron, which is 4-6-1, 1-2 after a 1-0 overtime home loss on Friday to Eastern Michigan.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Just 19 seconds into the match, UB's Carissima Cutrona found the back of the net, staking the Bulls to a 1-0 lead.

The Chippewas created several chances, generating seven shots on goal, but were unable to score. Buffalo keeper Emily Kelly made seven saves.

Cutrona assisted on an Adrianna Vancuyck goal in the 82^nd minute, extending the UB lead to 2-0. Cutrona leads the MAC with 22 points.

"We dug ourselves a big hole early, but we fought back valiantly in the second half but couldn't find that tying goal," CMU coach Peter McGahey said. "Certainly credit to Buffalo for taking care of the game and killing the game off when it had to be taken care of."

WALLBRIDGE
Brianna Wallbridge had a career-high five saves in goal for CMU. Wallbridge faced 12 shots, seven of them on goal.

The redshirt freshman has started the last five games, allowing four goals, two of which came on Friday night. By posting a .714 save percentage on Friday, Wallbridge increased her season save percentage to .650.

MOVING FORWARD
"It's just a matter of regrouping and getting our confidence back underneath us and sometimes the game is hard and tonight's game was difficult and challenging," McGahey said. "We certainly made it a little harder for ourselves then we would have liked, but again I think it's a resilient group and we'll respond well on Sunday."

NEXT
After Sunday's game at Akron, CMU will play host to Bowling Green on Thursday, Oct. 4, and then travel to Toledo on Sunday, Oct. 7 (1 p.m.).