Bowling Green State University Athletics
OT Goal Gives Bobcats 1-0 Win
October 06, 2002 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 6, 2002
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Rachael Najjar's overtime goal broke a scoreless battle and gave Ohio University a 1-0 victory over the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team Sunday afternoon (Oct. 6). The Mid-American Conference match was held at BGSU's Cochrane Field.
The win lifted the Bobcats' records to 7-3-1 overall and 4-2-1 in MAC play, while the Falcons dropped to 6-5-1 and 4-3-0, respectively.
The match, as one might expect from an OT contest, was very evenly played, and the goalkeepers posted matching shutouts through the regulation 90 minutes. Ohio had the first quality chance early in the second half, but Kelly Prandi's shot was stopped by Falcon senior GK Erika Flanders.
BGSU's best chance of the match came with just over 19 minutes left in regulation, on a steal and shot by freshman Leah Eggleton, but Ohio 'keeper Michelle Meglaughlin was able to make the save.
Ohio scored on the first shot attempt of the OT session. Prandi's through-ball sent Najjar in alone on Flanders, who was forced to come out to try to cut down the shooting angle. But, Najjar quickly poked the ball with the outside of her right foot, and it rolled into the right side of the net.
Prandi and Natalie Grein drew assists on Najjar's goal, which came at the 92:45 mark.
The Bobcats outshot the Falcons by a 19-10 count, and Ohio held a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal. Flanders made six saves, while Meglaughlin was credited with two saves in earning the shutout.
"For us to take that team to overtime, and have a chance to win the game, is a testament to the progress we've made over the last 12 months," said BGSU head coach Andy Richards. "They are the defending MAC champions, and we finished 12th last year. So, we've taken a step or two forward.
"There is no disgrace in the result today, because it was a good performance. We have put together three good games of soccer in a row, winning two of them and losing one in overtime.
"We didn't have many clear-cut chances today, but this is another lesson for us to build upon. I think there are some similarities between today and the Ball State game (a 2-1 BSU win on Sept. 22) in that we played well, but just haven't been able to score goals when we've needed them.
"I felt on Friday (a win over Marshall), things ran for us, and they just didn't quite do so today. I can think of three times in the first half today where Leah Eggleton tried to get the ball through to Julie Trundle, and on all three occasions, one of their players just got a head or a foot on the ball at the last minute. I'm not trying to single out those two players; that's just an example of how close we were to perhaps breaking through.
"We got another good, solid performance from Erika, who has played very well over the last three games. She has shown great strength for us, and is an inspiration to everyone around her.
"I think, early in the year, we were afraid of some teams. I felt that we played with some fear in the games against Michigan State, Missouri and Miami. I think we have gotten over that, and learned that lesson. I don't think we're afraid of any team now.
"But, now, here is another lesson. When the game is on the line like today, we need to have the bravery to go and win it. I think we sat back a little bit and waited for something to happen, and we can't afford to do that. We have to learn that no one is going to give it to us. We have to go and win it ourselves.
"Hopefully, though, we will learn that lesson, and hopefully we will have an opportunity to put it into practice in a MAC postseason match. We have done a very good job of learning our lessons so far this year, and now we just need to learn to have that killer instinct.
"We had a very solid team performance today. I think we're really beginning to show that we have some great kids on our team, and it is very exciting for the future. By the future, I don't mean just in 2003 and beyond, I mean for the rest of the season as well."
BGSU briefly steps outside of MAC play for a Tuesday (Oct. 8) match at Cincinnati. Then, the Falcons return to league action with a pair of weekend road contests, taking on Central Michigan Friday (Oct. 11) and Eastern Michigan Sunday (Oct. 13).
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