Bowling Green State University Athletics
Early Goals Set Pace For 3-1 Falcon Victory
October 26, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 26, 2005
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Although the men of Bowling Green State University's soccer program (3-15-2) were continuously making the extra pass, two early unassisted goals gave the Falcons the lead they would not relinquish as they beat the Vikings of Cleveland State University (0-15-0) in non-conference action, 3-1.
"It was two young teams fighting it out," said head coach Fred Thompson. "Typically, with young teams you see a lot of shots and opportunities."
The Falcons out shot the Vikings 22-14.
As the game pace began to settle as various scoring opportunities arose, Justin Kim was the first to light the scoreboard at 13:07 after scoring off his own rebound. Kim's goal was his second of the season.
Less than a minute later, Omair Aldridge had the chance to give the Falcons the one-two punch, but was tripped up by a Viking defender.
The Orange and Brown took the two goal advantage in the 30th minute. Abiola Sandy scored his first goal of the season after connecting with a CSU deflection from an Aldridge shot.
Paul Shoemaker and the Falcon defense were able to eliminate the Viking offensive game as they continuously broke up the cross field passes.
"They were under pressure a lot and I thought they did a good job. There weren't many real dangerous opportunities, a couple looked like they would get dangerous, but they came over to cover well and Paul made the saves he is supposed to make," said Thompson of his defenders effort.
For the second game in a row the Falcons two first half goals forced their opponent to change their keeper at intermission. Kasy Gray took control of the net after Anthony DeMarco left the game with two saves and two goals against.
Kim Kroken ended the shutout due to a miscommunication in front of the net and converted a short goal.
With less than a minute in regulation, Kim found Aldridge just past midfield. Aldridge beat the CSU defense and scored his 10th goal of the season. Two of Kim's three assists as a Falcon have come from Aldridge netters.
"There are two ways to kill the game, take the ball to the corner to kill the clock or score a goal. You don't have any other options," said Thompson. "He picked one of them and he got it done."
The Falcons will host their final game of the season Sunday afternoon as the Mastodons of IPFW visit Mickey Cochrane Field in an important Mid-American Conference match-up. The winner of the historical first conference meeting will earn their first conference win.
The Mastodons were admitted to the MAC earlier in the season after playing the 2004 season as an independent program.
BGSU will also honor four players as they bring their final campaign as a Falcon to an end prior to Sunday's kick-off at 1:00 p.m.
