3-1-2
Austin Peay
5-1-1
McMahon's Late Goal Gives Bulls 1-0 Win Over Austin Peay
9/15/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY – No better way for a game to end on Senior Day at UB Stadium than to have a senior, Karen McMahon, score the game-winning goal in double overtime. The Bulls forward scored her first goal of the season with 1:45 remaining in the second overtime period to give Buffalo the 1-0 victory over previously undefeated Austin Peay.
Before the game on Sunday, the Bulls honored their five seniors as a part of Senior Day, Lauren Coviello, Courtney Gross, Natalie Jurisevic, McMahon and Ainsley Wheldon.
"I think we struggled a little bit in the first half due to some of the distractions of Senior Day," stated Michael Thomas. "From halftime on though, I was really pleased with how we played. We had some young players come in and bring some energy, especially Celina Carrero and Dana Lytle."
After heading to double overtime for the third-straight home contest, McMahon stepped up and ended the game for the Bulls. Kristin Markiewicz fed a perfect service to the back post where McMahon was open to bury the game-winning tally, just to the right of the Austin Peay goalkeeper. The assist for Markiewicz was her team-leading second of the young season.
Senior goalkeeper Ainsley Wheldon continued her stellar play on Sunday afternoon, making three saves in her fourth-straight shutout victory. Earning her 19th career shutout, Wheldon is now just two shy of the program record for shutouts in a career. The Bulls defensive core of Markiewicz, Natalie Jurisevic, Sophie Therien and Courtney Gross helped extend their opponents scoreless streak to 422 minutes over the last five games.
"The defense continues to not conceive goals and I believe today was one of their most complete performances of the year," said Thomas. "I was more pleased with the back four today, than I ever have been and you just can't write a better ending then to have a senior end the game with a goal on Senior Day."
With very minimal good scoring chances early on in the first half, the Bulls were able to get the best shot of the opening half off when McMahon's blast from 15 yards out, sailed just over the goal. Austin Peay led the shots category after the opening 45 minutes, 6-2.
In the 66th minute, junior Megan Giesen almost gave the Bulls a goal but her blast towards the right corner of the net was snagged by a diving Nikki Filippone. With neither team created chances down the stretch, the Bulls went to overtime for the third-straight game.
Both teams thought they had finally ended the game in the second overtime as McMahon had her right footed shot ring off the cross bar and the Lady Govs had their goal disallowed due to an offsides call. Just a minute after the offsides from Austin Peay, McMahon ended Senior Day with her third career goal.
The Bulls will return to the pitch on Wednesday at UB Stadium as they play host to non-conference rival Niagara. First kick is set for 7:00 pm.
Team Stats
MCMAHON, Karen (1)
Assisted By: MARKIEWICZ, Kristin
Cross from left side from 3 to back post
108:15
