MHS graduate part of Buffalo women’s turnaround
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Andrea Niper felt fortunate that the University of Buffalo wasn’t hit hard by the paralyzing snow storm only days after the end of an avalanche of success on the soccer field.
The Montgomery High School graduate helped the University of Buffalo women’s soccer team earn its first trip to the NCAA tournament during an historic season.
”That was awesome,” said Niper, a sophomore at UB. “Just the fact we made history this year. It was the first time we made it to MAC final, the first time we made NCAAs. We set so many records.
”Our coach, he kept saying, this is the standard, this is what you should want to do every year, this is the standard. This is what I’m used to. The standard is to win championships. (Former MHS coach Jeremy) Beardsley always said that. This is the way I’m used to being coached.”
Niper had only known success with Montgomery. She was hoping for more even with a jump to the college level.
”I had huge expectations,” Niper said. “I was surrounded by a winning culture. It instilled a winning feeling in me.”
Niper doesn’t know exactly the background of high school success of other Bulls players, but she knew where she came from. She played on the Cougars’ state championship team before heading off to Buffalo, and wanted to bring the same to the Bulls.
”Talking to some people, I know some of them have been in high school championships,” Niper said. “It’s a little different atmosphere in different places. In New York, they don’t have the same kind of state finals. They do things by sections.
”No one on the team has won a state championship, I think. Maybe they were more successful in club championships. Everyone at this point realizes what it takes to be a champion.”
Buffalo went 9-0-2 in the Mid-American Conference and won the MAC tournament, 1-0, over Western Michigan to clinch their first trip to the NCAAs. They entered on a 14-game unbeaten streak before falling to Penn State, one of the top eight seeds in the tournament. The Bulls finished with a program record for wins in a season at 16-3-3. Two of their three losses came against top-10 teams.
”Going to Penn State and being able to play in that atmosphere, it was crazy,” Niper said. “This year, we lost in the first round. Next year, we want to go to the second round. I like that mindset. It makes you want to reach more.”
The run to the NCAA tournament completed quite a turnaround, one that made for a much more enjoyable season for Niper. The Bulls were 6-9-3 in her first year after arriving from Montgomery, and the season ended with the coach who brought her in being dismissed.
”It wasn’t what I was expecting at all,” Niper said. “I played here and there, but I sat more than I was used to. It was disheartening. Coming out this year, we got a new coach. Our assistant coach was hired as head coach. He made a huge difference. He instilled a winning mentality we needed. Our captains and seniors as a whole, they were great.”
Niper never considered leaving the school that, other than a tough start to her soccer career, had everything that she wanted. Buffalo took the shape that she had grown accustomed to in high school on the field to match what she was getting in the classroom.
”The year was fantastic,” said Niper, who is working toward a degree in economics with minors in international business and German. “You start winning, and it’s a great culture. We had each other’s backs. The winning was great, and the culture and team as a whole, it was really fun.”
Niper also had a bigger hand in the team’s success. She played in all 22 games, one as a starter. She scored two goals, one of which was a game-winner.
”I played a lot more than last year,” Niper said. “I played a role where I was first or second off the bench. I replaced one of the starters. It was a cool role. You want to be a starter, but it’s a role you want to be in if you’re not starting. You get a feel for the game and where you can fit in. I could read the game a little when I was on the bench and go in and do what I needed to. I was able to make an impact, and that’s really what I wanted to do.”
Niper had spent her first year like many other freshmen adjusting to the college game. Players were bigger and faster and stronger.
”If you can’t match their level of speed or size, you have to think faster,” Niper said. “My level of play grew stronger. I saw myself getting bigger and faster.”
She and the rest of the Bulls improved steadily since last year and put themselves in a position to be more competitive this season. Her teammates helped to push her and bring her up to speed and get her ready to be a bigger contributor this year. The team evolved with each win.
”The coaches knew what system to play,” Niper said. “The pieces worked together. The coaches and players knew how to click. Once you’re winning that much, the momentum just kind of grows.
”I just think it was a completely different culture,” she said. “Maybe because I didn’t play as much, but I was kind of going to games last year wondering, are we going to pull out the win? This year, I felt we were going to win every time going in. The culture was so different. Everyone trusted in each other and the coaches.”
The Bulls have time off until after their winter exams, and Niper is looking forward to beginning preparations for an encore to this season. She will focus on increasing her speed of play, particularly in distributing the ball quicker and more accurately as she looks to win a starting role. Buffalo graduated five seniors, including two from their central midfield where Niper plays.
”I see myself competing for those spots,” Niper said. “It depends on my spring and work over the summer (if she starts). Last year I didn’t play as much, this year I didn’t start, and next year like to start and make a bigger impact.”