Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Ends Season At Western Michigan
November 08, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 8, 2005
KALAMAZOO, Mich. - The Bowling Green State University men's soccer team closed their 2005 campaign with a first round loss to the fourth seeded Broncos of Western Michigan, 2-0. The Falcons close their season with a 4-13-2 overall record.
The quarterfinal match was relatively uneventful throughout the first half. BGSU jumped out to a quick offensive start where they were able to move the ball and create scoring opportunities but were unable to capitalize and gain the lead.
Western became the 10th opponent the Falcon defense held scoreless in the first half. In their last meeting on October 9, Western held a 2-1 halftime lead before wining 3-2 at Cochrane Field.
Said head coach Fred Thompson of the Broncos: "They regrouped at the half and came out fired up."
Just as it looked like the programs were settling into even play, WMU's Kyle Hall scored his first goal of the season through the swarming Falcon defense at the 71:57 mark.
Bowling Green appeared as if it would even the playing field on Abiola Sandy's rebound from the Greg Hennelly free kick, but the shot was just wide enough to benefit the Orange and Brown.
The Broncos second score came just around the 81st minute on what Thompson referred to as "a great individual effort" on the part of WMU's leading scorer Tom Oately.
Falcon freshman keeper Paul Shoemaker ended the game with three saves in 90 minutes in goal.
"I would have liked to keep playing for the sake of the seniors. It is never easy to watch the guys play their last collegiate game," said Thompson after the loss.
"The freshman have a long way to go. We are off to a pretty good start and the program is headed back in the right direction."
With the win, Western (9-8-2) advances to the Final Four and will face first seed Akron University on Friday in the semifinal round. All MAC games will now be hosted by top seed, Akron.
