Bowling Green State University Athletics
Falcons Tie At Eastern Illinois, 1-1
September 08, 2002 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 8, 2002
CHARLESTON, Ill. - A pair of goals late in regulation led to a 1-1 tie between the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team and Eastern Illinois University Sunday afternoon (Sept. 8). The non-conference match was held at EIU's Lakeside Field.
With the tie, the Falcons move their record to 2-1-1 on the season, while the host Panthers, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2001, are now 1-1-1 this year.
The contest was scoreless until BGSU sophomore Kristy Coppes got the Brown and Orange on the board with her fourth goal of the season, and of the week. That goal, assisted by classmate Nikki Pucillo, came at the 83:32 mark.
But, the Panthers would equalize on a Rebecca Traen goal at 87:34. That marker was assisted by Rachel Dorfman. Neither team would score in the final minutes of regulation, or in either of the two 10-minute overtime periods.
The hosts held a 21-12 advantage in shot attempts, including a 10-5 edge in shots on goal. Senior Erika Flanders made nine saves for the Falcons, while two Panther goalkeepers combined to make four stops.
"We are disappointed that we did not hold onto the lead," said head coach Andy Richards. "We looked like we might, but then we conceded a free kick which got pumped into the box with a lot of bodies around. We didn't get a head, a foot, or anything on it to clear it, and it dropped free for one of their players to put it home.
"Having said that, it was a great performance. We showed good discipline and frustrated them enormously. It was a good result in that EIU is a good team, having gone to the NCAA last year. We were on their field, and we knew it was going to be a battle, so we're pleased in that regard.
"But, once again, we need to learn from our mistakes. We have to be able to hang onto the lead, we have to deal better with free kicks that are put into our penalty area, and deal better with pressure.
"And, we need to take advantage of our opportunities. We had a free kick in the last two minutes of the second overtime, and we need to at least put that on target to force their 'keeper make a save and maybe get a tap-in. We didn't do that, and it was a lost opportunity. But, there were other chances earlier in the game that we should have put away. We just lacked a little bit of composure in the final third of the field.
"At the other end, Erika Flanders made three outstanding saves near the end of the game. She made one save that was Erika Flanders at her finest.
"I think the biggest thing for us is that we need to learn a lesson. We learned lessons after we got beat by Michigan State, and we need to learn lessons off this. If this had been a MAC game, we would have considered this two points lost, rather than a point earned. Fortunately, it was not, and it becomes a good learning experience for us. Hopefully, we can benefit from this sometime in the future."
The Falcons now prepare for a pair of matches at Ohio State's tournament next weekend. BGSU will face Pittsburgh on Friday (Sept. 13) and Missouri on Sunday (Sept. 15).
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