Bowling Green State University Athletics
Huskies Too Much for BGSU in 3-0 MAC Opener
October 07, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 7, 2005
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The weather in Bowling Green mimicked the defensive attitude of the visiting Huskies of Northern Illinois in today's opening Mid-American Conference play; bitter cold. The Falcons were unable to score and were held to just four shots on goal in the 3-0 loss.
"NIU is a pretty mature team with a definite game plan. They are going to sit in, attempt to frustrate you and try not to give anything up. They have won their last five game that way," said coach Fred Thompson.
The Huskies held the 1-0 advantage after the first 45 minutes of regulation. The lead was set up by Jose Alvarado's throw into Steve Algozino whose header found Justin McGrane in a crowd deep in the Falcons' box.
Algozino and McGrane hooked up again partially through the second half to raise the score to 2-0.
Although Bowling Green's defense was able to keep the Huskies' offensives attack at bay for long periods of time, a handball in the box gave NIU a direct kick at the 72:00 mark. Paul Gabel found a hole in the Falcons' wall sending his kick just past the left post.
"This was just one game and the difference in was three set pieces," said Thompson. "This is what the MAC games will be like, a moment here and a moment there, but I am positive we will have out moments."
BGSU currently stands at 2-8-1 overall and 0-1-0 in the Mid-American Conference, while the Huskies take their fifth straight game and find their first win in conference play.
The Orange and Brown will return to MAC action Sunday afternoon as a part of double-header action with the Falcon women. Game one will feature the women's team hosting Akron at high noon. Game two will begin at 4:00 p.m. with the men taking on the Broncos of Western Michigan. To date, WMU has never won at Mickey Cochrane Field.
