Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
OHIO STATE
Falcons Lose Heartbreaker To Nationally-Ranked Buckeyes, 3-2, To Close Regular Season
October 31, 2003 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 31, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Ohio State's Colleen Hoban scored the tying goal with just 25 seconds remaining in regulation, then netted the winning goal as the nationally-ranked Buckeyes dealt the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team a 3-2 loss in double-overtime Friday (Oct. 31). The non-conference match, held at BGSU's Cochrane Field, ended the regular season for both teams.
With the win, the #16/19 Buckeyes improve to 12-3-3 on the year, while the Falcons drop to 7-11-2.
The match was scoreless for nearly 76 minutes, before the teams combined to score three goals in the next 4:04 and four goals in a span of 13:41. Paige Harrison broke the scoreless deadlock at the 75:54 mark, heading Hoban's right-side cross past Falcon redshirt sophomore Ali Shingler.
While Buckeye fans were still celebrating, however, the Falcons drew an OSU foul near the BGSU bench. Sophomore Julie Trundle's free kick from the left side of the pitch sailed into the penalty box, where classmate Samantha Meister redirected it high into the far (right) post. The header came just 32 seconds after Harrison's goal.
And, three-and-a-half minutes after Meister's goal, the Brown and Orange struck again. Junior Katie Piening took a BG throw-in, again from near the Falcon bench. Meister's header kept the ball heading through the penalty area, where sophomore Leah Eggleton one-timed the ball high into the center of the goal past OSU 'keeper Emily Haynam. Just like that, the Falcons had a 2-1 lead, a lead that held until the final minute.
The Buckeyes put pressure on Shingler and the BG defense over the final few minutes, and finally broke through with 25 seconds left. With goalkeeper Haynam deep in the BGSU end, similar to an extra attacker in hockey, teammate Liz Mumley played a ball that curved into the center of the penalty area, where Hoban headed it home to send the teams to OT.
In the second overtime, OSU's Erica Nollen's long pass from her own end sent Hoban in alone on Shingler. Hoban blooped a shot over the 'keeper, and the ball bounced off the ground, off the left post and into the net.
Shingler made seven saves, several of the spectacular variety, in the match. OSU's Staci Sinkway got the win despite playing only the final 2:36 of the contest. Sinkway made one save. Haynam had four saves in 100 minutes of work, but drew a no-decision.
The visitors held a 23-14 shots advantage for the match, including a slim, 10-8 edge in shots on goal. OSU had eight corner kicks to the Falcons' three.
BGSU now readies for the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The eighth-seeded Falcons will travel to Ypsilanti, Mich., to face top-seeded Eastern Michigan in quarterfinal action on Tuesday (Nov. 4). That match begins at 1:30 p.m. at EMU's Scicluna Field.
NOTES
QUOTING BGSU COACH ANDY RICHARDS
"I think we're all bitterly disappointed with the result today, because we came so close to creating a major upset. Ohio State is ranked in the top-20 in the country, and we came within 25 seconds of beating them. So, we're very disappointed with the result. However, I was very proud of my team today in terms of their performance. They did incredibly well against a very, very good team who play in a strong Big Ten Conference. Of course, we want to win games, but the performance is the most important thing. Going into the MAC Tournament, we have to look at how well we're playing right now, and I really felt that was a first-class performance."
"We worked very hard in practice this week on a particular style of play, and we really saw the style come shining through today. And, we nearly upset a very good program in Ohio State."
"At the beginning of the season, we knew that we had put ourselves up against a tough schedule, and the games against Arizona State, Michigan State and Ohio State were games that we really felt would be major tests for this program. What is comforting to me, and very encouraging for the long-term aspirations of this program, is the level of performance and the way we've developed as a team."
"When we played Arizona State (in the) first game of the season, we were just not in their league. But, we had a great game against Michigan State on their field, nearly sneaking away with a win there, and got another very good performance today. That is the most heartening thing about today, looking at the progress of the team over the season, and seeing how we've gotten better and better. That gives us a lot of confidence going into the MAC Tournament."
"It is very difficult to single out individuals (for praise) today, because the whole team played so well, and we got a lot of help from our bench as well. But, obviously, Samantha Meister really got us going, scoring a goal within about 30 seconds of (Ohio State) taking the lead. And, it was great to see Leah Eggleton get her first goal of the season as well."
"There were some great performances today. I thought our wide players, both Julie Trundle and Ashley Wentzel, had terrific games. And, Ali Shingler was very good in the goal. She made a number of saves and had a really fine performance. Anyone who looks only at the score may thing that we were weak on defense, because we conceded three goals. But, Ali had a tremendous game, and it was really encouraging."
"We are only the second team to score as many as two goals against Ohio State this year. Illinois was the only other team to do that, in 18 games this year. I'm delighted with our performance. We have to step back, as a program right now, look at the way we played and take encourage from that. If we can reproduce that form in the MAC Tournament, then we really should be able to go a long way."
"And, that's the test right now -- to make sure that we have that consistency, play well at Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, and hope that we get another chance to play in a semifinal."
