Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Three, Zips Zip
October 05, 2001 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 5, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team posted its second consecutive home win, recording a 3-0 verdict over the University of Akron Friday afternoon (Oct. 5). The Mid-American Conference match was held at Cochrane Field.
With the victory, the Falcons improve to 6-3-2 overall and 2-2-1 in MAC action. The Zips drop to 2-8-0 and 0-6-0, respectively.
The match was played in a steady, driving rain and temperatures in the low 50s. The Falcons got on the board a third of the way through the first half, on a goal by freshman Katie Piening. Senior Annmarie Aparo slid a pass across the box from the right side to Piening, who directed the ball toward the lower far post. The shot trickled past UA goalkeeper Meghan McCarthy into the left corner at the 16:44 mark.
For Piening, the goal was her third of the year, and her third of the week. Aparo drew the lone assist on the play.
The match stayed 1-0 until just 19:30 remained in the match. Again, a freshman found the net for the Brown and Orange, to double the lead. In fact, the Falcons' second goal was set up by three Falcon frosh.
Nikki Pucillo crossed a ball toward Piening from the right side, and Piening's shot was deflected by McCarthy. But, Kristy Coppes pounced on the loose ball and fired it into the open net.
Coppes picked up another goal in the waning moments of the match. Senior Libby Christensen played a ball down the right side to Piening, who figured in all three BG goals. Piening faked a cross and moved past a UA defender while bringing the ball along the end line from the right. Her cross found Coppes, who trapped the ball and fired a shot past McCarthy with just 2:23 left in the contest.
For Coppes, the goal was her second of the match and 10th of the season. She has scored five goals in the last two matches.
The three goals were more than enough for BGSU junior Erika Flanders. Flanders made five saves, including several of the spectacular variety, to earn her fourth complete-match shutout of the season. That total ties her own school record, set last year.
Flanders now has 10 career shutouts, eight more than any other goalie on the school list.
"I am extremely happy once again today," said BGSU head coach Andy Richards. "We have gotten two good results in a row. Today's win was a good team performance. We ground out a victory against a good, determined Akron team that never gave up.
"I am very proud of the overall team performance. We stuck to our task and got a win.
"Individually, I thought Erika made three excellent saves at crucial times. All came when the game was tied or when we had just a one-goal lead.
"Also in the back, (senior) Beth Wechsler was solid and dependable, as usual, while (sophomore) Kasey Freeman had another good showing. And, I thought (freshman) Jenny Berlovan had an excellent game, both offensively and defensively.
"Kristy and Katie did a good job of finishing. Those two have combined for eight goals and six assists in the last two games. We have been a bit more prolific, and have gotten a few more contributions from different people over the last few games."
The Falcons, who have won consecutive matches for the first time in 2001, will continue a five-match homestand with a Tuesday (Oct. 9) contest vs. Wright State University. The non-conference match is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. at Cochrane Field.
