BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Northern Illinois University women's soccer team dropped a 5-0 decision at Buffalo on Friday night (Oct. 18) at UB Stadium. Sophomore goalkeeper Julia Lentz (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook) made 16 saves in the contest for the Huskies.

Lentz was called into action in the early moments as she recorded a save on a shot from Hannah Callaghan in the second minute of play.

NIU's first chance of the contest came in the 13th minute as good combination play down the left side resulted in a switch across field to senior Kelsey Chope (San Jose, Calif./Leland) who fired a shot just wide.

Buffalo (7-6-1, 4-3-0 MAC) had another chance in the 16th minute through Taylor Caridi but Lentz made a good save with her foot to thwart the opportunity.

The Bulls opened the scoring in the 18th minute as Callaghan headed home a corner whipped in by Gurjeena Jandu near the six-yard box as Buffalo took a 1-0 lead.

Buffalo added a second goal four minutes later as Lentz made the initial stop on a shot from distance by Katherine Camper, but Kara Daly followed up the play and was first to pounce on the rebound, giving the Bulls a 2-0 advantage.

The Bulls netted a third goal in the 30th minute as a shot from distance by Leah Wengender slipped through the grasp by Lentz and over the line to add to the Buffalo lead.

The sophomore goalkeeper a save a full stretch on an outside shot from Mairead Martin in the 42nd minute, pushing the ball around the post. NIU (2-10-2, 0-6-1 MAC) cleared the ensuing corner from the Bulls as Buffalo took a 3-0 lead into halftime.

Callaghan tallied her second of the contest in the 49th minute off a corner kick to give the Bulls a 4-0 advantage. Lentz got a hand to the initial chance for the Bulls but Callaghan followed up to flick home the second opportunity off the set piece.

Senior Jennie Nailor (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Hoffman Estates) created a chance for the Huskies in the 64th minute as she whistled a shot high of the Buffalo goal.

The Bulls earned a penalty kick in the 68th minute and Gianna Yurchak converted from 12 yards for Buffalo to give the home side its fifth goal of the night.

NIU will return to action on Sunday, October 20, as the Huskies visit Akron in their final road match of the regular season. Kickoff against the Zips is slated for 12 p.m.