NEW HAVEN, Conn. – First-year midfielder Ellie Rappole scored both goals, but it wasn't enough to get the Yale Women's Soccer Team a win in its season opener at Reese Stadium against Buffalo in steamy conditions.

The Bulls (2-1) erased a 2-0 deficit by notching three straight in a 3-2 overtime contest. Arianna Zumpano found the net at the 94:06 mark as Buffalo won its second straight game.

Rappole, a Winchester, Mass., native playing in her first collegiate game, took a crossing feed from classmate Alanna Butcher to put the home team up 1-0 at 11:45 of the first half.

Rappole's other tally, almost 11 minutes later, was much less conventional. After senior Reina Bonta's shot bounced off goalie Emily Kelly, Rappole got to it first with her back facing the goal. Rather than take time to turn, the rookie used the back of her foot to surprise the Buffalo netminder.

"It was a tale of two halves today. We felt confident and prepared heading into this game, and I think we did some really great things in the first half that led to two great goals," said Sarah Martinez, Yale's Loring Family Head Coach.
 
The Bulls had 11 of their 14 regulation-time shots during the second half.

"Buffalo pressed us and presented us with a lot of problems that we will look to address. A ton of credit to them, they never let their foot off the gas and forced three turnovers in our own half that led to goals," said Martinez. "We're excited to regroup and shift to getting a result against a very well-coached Quinnipiac team."