FC Buffalo Women’s Team Seizes ‘Special’ Opportunity to Compete for National Title on Home Ground

Photo: Ryan Bartholomew/FC Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Women’s FC head coach Nikki Bartholomew paid fitting tribute to her club’s recent success as she oversaw what was likely the team’s final practice of the 2024 season.

Bartholomew has led FC Buffalo Women in each of its four seasons of existence, building a strong culture of success that has culminated in four consecutive division titles and an appearance in the United Women’s Soccer national semifinals in 2022. That latter accomplishment was proudly visible on her jersey during practice Wednesday, a reminder of what the team has accomplished and what could come in the days ahead as the Wolves play for a UWS national title this weekend on their home turf at All-High Stadium.

“I think this experience is huge,” Bartholomew said of the team’s run to the national semifinals in 2022. “I asked the question (Tuesday) at the end of practice: ‘How many players in your career have won something in the national championship category?’ … And two hands went up out of 22. It’s a big event and a big memory that you can create.”

The FC Buffalo women’s team finished the regular season with a 6-1-1 record, good for third place in the UWS East Conference, but bypassed the conference playoffs and earned a spot in the national semifinals by being named the league’s national championship weekend host. The three UWS conference champions from across the country will round out the four-team field and travel to Buffalo to try to claim the league crown.

“It’s not every day that you get the chance to play for a national championship,” said veteran forward and captain Carssima Cutrona, whose five goals this season are the most on the team. “We’re really motivated and looking forward to this opportunity.”

Cutrona, a former All-American at Williamsville South and a first-team All-MAC at UB, has been with the FC Buffalo Women since the team’s inception. While the 28-year-old’s offensive prowess has played a key role in the team’s success this season, the experience she and other veteran players on the roster bring is also crucial, especially in a game as high-stakes as a national semifinal.

“Being a leader and helping the younger players and getting them up to speed when we get out on the field is always exciting,” said Cutrona, who was named UWS Offensive Player of the Year when FC Buffalo Women last reached the national semifinals in 2022. “Every year we’ve tried to grow this program and this club and for the fourth year now to be hosting and participating in the national championship is really exciting. It’s really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

One of those young standouts is forward Skylar Cornell, who also scored five goals for the Wolves this season. The Ohio native is in her first season with FC Buffalo Women, but she has quickly settled into her surroundings and enjoyed her time with the team.

The Wolves are in a strong position to advance to the semifinals after Cornell’s biggest goal of the season came in the regular-season finale on July 7. The 20-year-old scored a penalty in the 90th minute to secure a 2-2 draw against Steel City FC, giving the club its fourth consecutive division crown.

“I didn’t really know the players coming in at first, so it was a little scary at first, but the team has been amazing and very welcoming,” said Cornell, who is entering her junior season with the Canisius University women’s soccer team. “It’s like a second home, I love it.”

The FC Buffalo women’s team will face a formidable opponent in the Western Conference champion Santa Clarita Blue Heat in the semifinals on Friday. The California-based team went a perfect 8-0-0 in UWS play this season, with 31 goals for and only two against.

Despite the challenge, Bartholomew’s team is ready to seize the opportunity to propel Buffalo football forward on the national stage.

“Being home is a huge plus,” Bartholomew said. “(The fan section) always brings joy, that group is always fun. But we’re definitely expecting the biggest crowd we’ve had all season because it puts Buffalo football on a bigger stage. So it’s really special.”

The full schedule for the UWS National Championship weekend at All-High Stadium is as follows:

• Semi-final n°1: Michigan Jaguars at New England Mutiny, 5 p.m. Friday
• Semi-final n°2: FC Buffalo Women vs. Santa Clarita Blue Heat, 8 p.m. Friday
• Final:Semi-final winner #1 vs. semi-final winner #2, 7:00 p.m. Saturday

Tickets for the semifinal doubleheader can be purchased here and the championship game here ($10 online presale, $15 at the door). The games will also be streamed live on FC Buffalo’s YouTube channel.