Falcons Blank Valpo, 3-0
October 18, 2002 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 18, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Freshman Britt Anderson's goal just 1:40 into the match proved to be all the scoring the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team would need in a 3-0 win over Valparaiso University Friday afternoon (Oct. 18). The non-conference match was held at BGSU's Cochrane Field.
With the victory, the Falcons improve to 8-6-2 on the season, while the Crusaders drop to 4-8-1.
With just over a minute elapsed in the first half, BGSU sophomore Jenny Berlovan took a shot which was blocked over the end line for a Falcon corner kick. Freshman Julie Trundle took that corner kick and put the ball into the center of the six-yard box, where Anderson redirected it into the net with a powerful header.
The goal, Anderson's second of the season, was similar to her first goal, which proved to be the match-winner at Kent State (Sept. 29). That goal also came off of a BG corner kick, off the boot of Carrie Richards.
Trundle drew the lone assist on Anderson's goal Friday.
BGSU had a number of chances in the opening half. An apparent goal by sophomore Kristy Coppes (off a cross by junior Kasey Freeman) was waved off due to a handball call in the 11th minute.
Sophomore Katie Piening doubled the BGSU lead at the 33:11 mark, scoring her first goal of the season. Trundle started the play with a cross from the left side. The ball found freshman Keeley Dayton on the left side of the penalty area. As several VU defenders challenged Dayton, the ball found Piening in the center of the box. She calmly trapped the ball and put it past charging Crusader goalkeeper Danielle Guerra. Dayton and Trundle drew assists on the goal.
Freshman Samantha Meister completed the scoring in the second half, scoring her third goal in as many matches. Freshman Leslie Dawley's corner kick bounced off a defender and went directly to Meister at the top of the box. She quickly settled the ball, and with her second touch, put it just under the crossbar. Dawley had the lone assist on the goal, which came at 56:59.
The three goals were more than senior Erika Flanders would need. Flanders made five saves to earn her sixth shutout of the season. The Falcons held a 22-9 advantage in shot attempts and a 9-5 edge in shots on goal.
Guerra made six saves for the visitors.
"I'm not thrilled with the performance today, but I'm pleased with the result," said BGSU head coach Andy Richards. "But, we did get the win, and we got a lot of players some playing time.
"Some of those kids who haven't had a lot of time recently did tremendously well today. Jill Conover and Susan Wallace gave us a great lift when they went in to start the second half, and it was nice to see Tracy Gleixner get some time as well. There were a lot of plusses.
"We had three different goal-scorers, which shows that we have threats all over the field, and I thought those goals were very good. Britt's header was excellent, and Katie showed a lot of composure on her goal. It was also a credit to Keeley Dayton, who made a great run on that goal.
"And, Sam Meister's goal was very good as well. I think her injury (broken nose) has forced her to chest a lot of balls rather than head them, and she trapped that ball down and volleyed it home. I think she has become a better player because of the limitations she has had due to the injury.
"Even though we didn't play to our abilities, which is disappointing, we still got a good win out of it, which is very encouraging.
"We were a little too relaxed today, from a mental standpoint. But, I think when we get back into MAC action on Sunday, we'll get our mental game back. And, we will have to, because that's the way the MAC is. We look forward to getting back at it on Sunday."
The Falcons will return to Mid-American Conference play with a Sunday (Oct. 20) morning match at the University at Buffalo. That match is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. at RAC Field.
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