WOMEN'S SOCCER

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KALAMAZOO, MI - Kellie Nicholson's unassisted goal in the 80th minute helped Western Michigan University to a 2-2 double overtime tie against the University at Buffalo's women's soccer team in Mid-American Conference action on Friday afternoon at the WMU Soccer Complex.

Western Michigan (8-3-2 overall, 4-2-2 MAC), who came into the game fourth in the MAC, took five shots in the two overtime periods, forcing senior Anna-Lesa Calvert (Dallas, TX/Bryan Adams) to stop one shot. She made seven stops in the game as Western Michigan fired 22 times in her direction.

Anna-Lesa Calvert

Sara Cultra and Marsh both got behind the Buffalo defense on several occasions in overtime, but were unable to finish. Cultra had the best opportunity, beating Calvert to the ball at the top of the box. Her shot into the open net, however, hit the near post and bounced away.

Buffalo (3-9-1 overall, 2-4-1 MAC), who entered the game ninth in the league, took just one shot in the extra stanzas, but did take 12 shots overall.

The Broncos got on the board in the 24th minute as Katie Ruzinsky scored on a header on a dish from Mandi Marsh. Andrea Tyler also assisted on the play, but the Bulls were quick to answer.

Sophomore Jennifer Moreira (Keswick, Ontario/Our Lady of the Lake) scored in the 32nd minute on assists from junior Natalia Crofut (East Aurora, NY/Iroquois) and junior Erica Mincher (Waterford, NY/Shenendehowa).

Erica Mincher

Mincher added another assist five minutes later, as Crofut scored her fourth goal of the year. With the goal and assist, Crofut has acquired 10 points this year to tie for the team lead with senior Jenny Dannecker (East Amherst, NY/Holy Angels Academy). It is also the third season in a row that Crofut has entered the double-digit scoring plateau.

The Broncos goalkeeping combination of Kate Perz and Lea Perz stopped four shots.

Buffalo returns to action on Sunday at 1:00 pm as it travels to Northern Illinois for a MAC matchup. It is the end of a six-game road trip for Buffalo before the team returns to RAC Field on Friday for a 7:00 pm game with MAC foe Toledo.