Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
BUFFALO
Falcons Best Buffalo, 1-0, on Record-Breaking Goal by Coppes
October 17, 2004 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 17, 2004
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Kristy Coppes scored in the fifth minute, and Ali Shingler made eight saves to lift the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the University at Buffalo Sunday afternoon (Oct. 17). The Mid-American Conference match was held at a blustery RAC Field.
With the victory, the Falcons improve to 5-10-1 overall and 3-5-1 in MAC play, as BGSU battles for a league tournament berth. The host Bulls drop to 4-11-1 and 3-6-1, respectively.
For Coppes, her goal vs. the Bulls enabled her to add to her lengthy lists of BGSU records. The goal was her 13th of the year, giving her sole possession of that school single-season mark. Coppes, who entered the 2004 season already owning the BGSU career goals and points records, now has 47 career goals, and has an even 100 points to become the first BGSU player (and only the seventh in MAC history) to reach the century mark.
In the opening minutes, Leah Eggleton sent a ball ahead to Coppes in front of the defense. With the Bulls rapidly closing in, Coppes lifted a soft, high shot from 25 yards out on the right side, floating it over UB goalkeeper Anna-Lesa Calvert to give the Falcons the only goal of the day at the 4:55 mark.
The wind was gusting up to 37 miles per hour at RAC Field. BG, playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, took 18 shots, including 11 on goal, in the opening 45 minutes. At the other end, the Falcons allowed just four shots before the break.
Buffalo had a scoring chance in the 15th minute, as Jenny Dannecker got the ball with only Shingler between her and the net. Dannecker's shot from point-blank range was blocked by the Falcon 'keeper, and Shingler also was able to get her hands on the rebound try by Natalia Crofut, before the ball was cleared.
Dannecker, who had scored three goals in UB's 5-2 win over Toledo Friday, had a chance in the 89th minute. She came in alone on Shingler, who was forced to come out of her net. Dannecker's shot cleared a diving Shingler, but sailed just over the crossbar.
The Falcons held a 24-10 advantage in total shots, with Coppes taking nine. BGSU had 13 shots on goal to the Bulls' eight. Shingler, as mentioned, stopped all eight UB SOGs to earn the shutout, while Calvert made 12 saves.
The Falcons return home for a pair of matches next weekend. BGSU will face Northern Illinois in a Friday (Oct. 22) match, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at Cochrane Field. Then, BG will take on defending MAC Tournament champion Western Michigan in Sunday (Oct. 24) action, starting at 1:00 p.m.
THE MAC RACE
NOTES
QUOTING BGSU COACH Andy Richards
"We went into today's game with a very distinct game plan, and a very distinct goal, and both worked. We feel that we are in a situation now where we need to win all of our games. And, we told the team that, if they want to make the MAC Tournament, they have to develop a tournament-style mentality. Our destiny is still in our control; as long as we win all of our remaining MAC games, we should make the tournament."
"That's the mentality we're getting as a team now, to take each game as it comes, and to do our very best. And, we did that today. We got a great goal -- a record-breaking goal -- from Kristy Coppes early in the first half, a nice shutout from our defense and a good all-around team performance."
"We worked very hard, we were patient, we possessed the ball well in very difficult conditions and we were delighted to get the win. We did waste some chances in the first half, which made the finish a little tight and tense. But, we are extremely happy with the result, and we look forward to keeping our focus and mentality right for our next game."
