Bowling Green State University Athletics
Night of Many Firsts as the Falcons Beat No. 11 Buckeyes in Double Overtime
September 23, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 23, 2005
BOWLING GREEN. Ohio - Four goals netted by a single team will produce a win a majority of the time in soccer. Three-hundred and sixty-four days ago, four goals was not enough to overcome the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus as the Falcons fell 7-4. Today, the Falcons found those three goals and used them to beat the No. 11 Buckeyes in their home opener. 3-2, in double overtime.
Pandemonium broke out just as the scoreboard ticketed to its 106:00 minute at Mickey Cochrane Field as head coach Fred Thompson and the BGSU men's soccer team recorded their first win when Kyle Williams found the back of the net. Williams game winning goal made a statement, not only was it his first as a Falcon, but it also broke a 25-match winless streak dating back to the 2003 season. BGSU is now 1-5-1, while OSU falls to 5-2.
"It was my new white shoes," said a humble Williams. The freshman has heard his share of jokes concerning his footwear, more than likely the team will now applaud them.
"I do not even remember the goal and I remember everything," said a jubilant Thompson who also credited the goal to Williams' shoes.
The Falcons struck first as Ryan Perea scored his first collegiate goal off an Omari aldridge assist in the mid-first half. Aldridge has three assists on the season but the senior captain still had a few offensive tricks left for the Buckeyes.
"The goal was great to give the team a boost," said Perea. The offensive boost carried BGSU to a 1-0 lead during the first intermission. This was just the second time this season the Falcons were up after 45:00 minutes.
The Orange and Brown took a two goal advantage after George Davis connected with Omari aldridge at 71:22.
Just as the Falcons seemed as if they could relax in the physical game which drew eight yellow cards and two Buckeye ejections, OSU's Kevin Nugent snuck one past keeper Paul Shoemaker at 77:12.
After what appeared to be a Veris goal was not counted due to a BGSU foul prior to the shot, the Buckeyes struck seconds later as Veris once again sent one soaring past the BGSU defenders.
Neither school would score until Williams' miraculous shot was fired in the second overtime.
"I think this shows we have a bright future ahead of us," said Thompson. "OSU is a very good school with great things ahead of them. I have been telling the players they can hang with any team in the country and tonight proves it."
"This was a great win for the program," said assistant coach Tony Economopoulos. "My hat goes off to OSU, they played well but today was just our day."
The Falcons, despite the win, were out shot by the Buckeyes 20-14 with Shoemaker recording three saves.
BGSU will close their home-opening weekend Sunday afternoon when they host the Gaels of St. Mary's College. Kick-off is set for noon.
