Bowling Green State University Athletics
Women's Soccer Blanks Samford, 2-0
September 07, 2001 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 7, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Junior Jill Conover and freshman Kristy Coppes scored goals, and junior Erika Flanders posted her second shutout of the season, as the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team defeated Samford University, 2-0, Friday afternoon (Sept. 7). The non-conference match, the Falcons' home opener, was held at Cochrane Field.
With the win, the Falcons improve to 2-0-1 on the season. This marks the second time in the five-year history of the program that the Brown and Orange have been unbeaten through three matches. The 1998 Falcon squad began with a 3-0 record.
Samford falls to 1-1-0 on the season.
The Falcons got on the board when Conover scored midway through the first half. BG freshman Beth Rieman lofted a long shot from the right side that was saved by Bulldog goalkeeper Carrie Ollom. Ollom, however, could not hold on to the ball, and the rebound caromed directly to Conover. The junior fired the ball past Ollom at the 28:07 mark.
For Conover, the goal was her second of the season and the 14th of her career. She ranks third on that career list, four behind Michelle Lisy (18 from 1997-2000). Conover's goal would prove to be the match winner, extending her career-record total in that department to seven.
For Rieman, the assist marked her first collegiate point.
Flanders and Ollom kept the opposing strikers at bay until Coppes provided an insurance goal at the 71:14 mark. Senior Annmarie Aparo's pass found Conover just over midfield, and Conover played a ball forward to Coppes. The Falcon freshman got past a defender to create a breakaway. She made a move to her right, eluding a charging Ollom, and played the ball into the empty net.
For Coppes, who broke the state record for goals in a season at Findlay H.S. last year, the goal vs. Samford was her second on the year.
Conover, who drew an assist on the Coppes goal, now has 44 career points, four behind Lisy on that career list. Aparo also had an assist on the goal.
The Falcons outshot the visitors, 17-13, and BG had a 9-6 advantage in shots on goal. Flanders made six saves to earn her eighth career shutout, a school record. Ollom had six saves for the Bulldogs, while Cassie Coggins made one save in 8:55 of relief.
BGSU senior Libby Christensen played the final 48-plus minutes of the match. For Christensen, the game action was her first in nearly three years. Christensen, who played the 1997 and 1998 seasons at Oregon State University, transferred to BGSU prior to the 2000 campaign. She missed all of last season due to an injury suffered in preseason practice, however.
"The positives are that we got a win, got goals from our two starting strikers, and kept the shutout," said second-year Falcon head coach Andy Richards. "It was a good result, but a rather poor performance.
"Individually, (sophomore) Kasey Freeman had an outstanding game today. She exemplified the kind of fire and tenacity that we're going to need in conference play.
"Libby played well, too, in her first action in almost three years. I thought she did a super job and, like Kasey, showed some fire out there.
"I'm pleased for Erika to get another shutout. Sometimes, when you're not having a great day (as a team), you have a defensive breakdown and let in a goal. Generally, I was pleased with our back four, as well as with Erika. They did what they had to do, and kept Samford off the scoreboard."
The Falcons return to action with a home match against the University of Toledo Sunday (Sept. 9). Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Cochrane Field.
