Bowling Green State University Athletics
Men's Soccer Blanks Buffalo, 1-0
November 05, 2000 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 5, 2000
Buffalo, N.Y. -
The Bowling Green State University men's soccer team advanced to the Mid-American Conference championship game for the sixth time in the seven-year history of the MAC tournament with a 1-0 semifinal win at Buffalo on Sunday afternoon.
The Falcons lone goal was scored by senior Gene Braxton just 2:46 into the match. Classmates Fred Degand and Adam Erhard assisted on Braxton's third goal of the season, and second this year against the Bulls.
The BG scoring play started when Erhard sent in the corner kick to Degand, who headed the ball to Braxton and his header beat Buffalo goalkeeper Brian Wozniak.
Freshman goalkeeper David DeGraff made three saves for BG, while Wozniak was credited with six stops. The Falcons held a 14-8 advantage in total shots and led in corner kicks 10-4.
"As I thought, it was a really emotional game," said Falcon head coach Mel Mahler. "Sometimes your emotions get the best of you and we really couldn't play the game we wanted to play, but we are happy to get the win and be hosting (the championship game)."
On the victory -- "That's what we came here to do, but give Buffalo all the credit in the world. They are a far different team than the first time we played them," added Mahler.
BG has won the MAC tournament three times (1995-96-97) and finished second on two other occasions (1994-98).
The MAC Championship game will be held at BGSU's Mickey Cochrane Field on Sunday, Nov. 12. The Falcons will play Kentucky, who defeated Marshall 1-0 in Sunday's second semifinal match.
