Bulls Fall to Pittsburgh in Season Opener

Senior goalkeeper Amy Coron makes 12 saves

PITTSBURGH, PA – The University at Buffalo women’s soccer team opened their 2009 season against the Pittsburgh Panthers on Friday night at Pittsburgh’s Founders Field. The Bulls fell to the Panthers 1-0 with senior goalkeeper Amy Coron making 12 big saves to keep the game close.

Amy Coron

Coron stopped two shots in the first half and ten shots in the second half to keep the Bulls in the game. The only goal of the game came five minutes into the second half as Pittsburgh’s Ashley Cuba was able to dribble past Coron for the goal. Buffalo had their own opportunities but couldn’t get on the board. Lindsey Bailey had Buffalo’s first scoring chance 18 minutes into the game with a shot to the wide right. The Buffalo attack stayed quiet until late in the second half. Aubrey Stahl had a chance to score with a shot off the crossbar with less than 15 minutes remaining. Freshman teammate Stephanie Velez earned the team’s only shot on goal with less than ten minutes to go. The Panthers outshot the Bulls 21-3.

Stephanie Velez

Besides Velez, four newcomers got their first start in Blue and White, including Nina Connell, Shannon Fisher, Katie Kerr and Taylor Thompson.

The Bulls will take a week off from competition before travelling to Colgate for another non-conference game. The match against the Red Raiders is set for 7:00 pm on Friday, August 28 in Hamilton, NY.