Bowling Green State University
TOLEDO
Rockets Down Falcons, 3-0, in MAC Tournament QF
October 29, 2006 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 29, 2006
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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The University of Toledo got three second-half goals to post a 3-0 win over the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team Sunday afternoon (Oct. 29). The Mid-American Conference Tournament quarterfinal game was held at BGSU's Cochrane Field.
With the win, the Rockets improve to 7-8-4 on the season. UT, seeded fifth for the eight-team tournament, will host the semifinals and championship next weekend, as all four home teams lost in Sunday's quarterfinals. The Falcons, with just one senior -- Lindsay Carter -- on the 24-player roster, see the 2006 season come to an end with a record of 10-10-0.
The Rockets scored all three goals within the first 20 minutes of the second half. After a scoreless opening 45 minutes, UT's Molly Cornwell got the visitors on the board with just 50 seconds elapsed in the second period. After a long ball off the foot of Kirsty Wilson found Cornwell at the top of the penalty box, she cut back to her right and fired a shot into the lower right corner of the net.
 Lindsay Carter is the lone senior on the 24-player roster in 2006  |
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The final goal came at the 64:09 mark, after a UT corner kick. The ball eventually found its way to Wilson on the doorstep. Her shot was blocked by Falcon defender Tiernay Tilford on the goal line, but the rebound went directly to Ali Leak, who was only about two yards away from the goal. Leak converted on her opportunity to close the scoring.
The Falcons had had several chances, but could not solve UT goalkeeper Jen Whipple and the Rocket defense. Late in the first half, with the game still scoreless, a Carter ball sent freshman Faith Juillerat down the right side of the field. Juillerat was able to get off a cross to junior Rachael Ross, who was surrounded by several defenders in the box. Ross was able to trap the ball, but did not have room to get off a shot.
In the last minute of play before halftime, Falcon goalie Christy Zabek thwarted a UT scoring chance. Cornwell played a cross, but the BG sophomore 'keeper punched the ball away just as Leak crashed into her. UT was called for a foul on the play, and the teams went into the break in a scoreless tie.
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MAC QUARTERFINAL RESULTS
#5 Toledo 3, at #4 Bowling Green 0 #6 Kent State 5, at #3 Central Michigan 4 (2-OT) #7 Northern Illinois 2, at #2 Ohio 0 #8 Miami 2, at #1 Ball State 1
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Early in the second period, with the Rockets ahead by a 1-0 score, Tilford made a long run and a right-side cross. Whipple and a BG player both went for the ball and missed. Falcon sophomore Corbie Yee tracked the cross down on the left side of the area, but Whipple was able to scramble back into position in time to avoid disaster.
With just over 20 minutes left in regulation, the Falcons got good ball movement, stringing together several passes that led to a cross by freshman Stacey Lucas. But, Whipple was able to grab the cross right by the near (right) post. Less than a minute later, another Lucas cross found the foot of junior Danielle Cygan, who settled the ball and fired what was perhaps BG's hardest shot of the day. But, the shot whizzed just wide of the left post.
The game featured a total of only 14 shots, with Toledo taking eight. The Rockets had five shots on goal to just one by the Falcons.
Whipple picked up the victory, making one save. Zabek also made one save, while the Falcons were credited with a 'team save' on Tilford's block on the goal line.
"We are disappointed, of course, with the loss today, particularly because this team has worked so hard and has been so committed to winning," said BGSU head coach Andy Richards. "It is sad that we are unable to progress forward in the tournament.
"However, we also understand that the 2006 season was one of great transition. Half of the team was playing high-school soccer at this time last year, and we have achieved tremendous things in what looked to be a transitional year. Ten wins and a home berth in the MAC Tournament; those are two great achievements, and we should be very proud.
"As a program, we have shown a lot of positives for the future. Obviously, we will miss Lindsay Carter, who has meant the world to this program, both on and off the field. But, we will return a majority of our players as we look to build upon this season.
"I also want to recognize the outstanding efforts of assistant coach Erik Burstein. Erik has been part of this transition, and had a lot to do with our school-record 10 shutouts and our record for fewest goals allowed in a season. His contributions to the program have been great in his first year with us."
We are sorry to see the season come to an end, but I am very proud of my team and what they have achieved in 2006."
The Rockets, as mentioned, will host the league tournament semifinals on Friday (Nov. 3). UT, the fifth seed, will host eighth-seeded Miami, while sixth-seeded Kent State will face Northern Illinois, the tournament's seventh seed. Sunday marked the first time in MAC history that all four lower-seeded teams were victorious in the quarterfinal round.
