Bowling Green State University Athletics
Kim Scores Twice in Panther Defeat
October 12, 2006 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 12, 2006
INDIANOLA, PA - In the third consecutive match, Bowling Green struck first as Justin Kim scored his fourth overall goal of the season against the University of Pittsburgh defense. Kim later added another score to extend the Falcon lead and ultimately give the Falcons a 2-1 edge over the Panthers.
The non-conference win boosted the Falcons overall record to 3-10-1, while dropping the Panthers to 4-8-2. The victory marked the first set of back-to-back road wins for the Falcons since October of 2003.
"Obviously it is always good to get a victory and this was a tough mid-week trip," said head coach Fred Thompson.
BGSU lit the scoreboard for the first time at the 9:50 mark as the Falcons offense took several quick touch passes in transitions beginning with Jacob Lawrence's pass to Kyle Williams and ending with the final touch traveling into the Panther's goal off Kim's foot.
Later, the Panthers attempted to score their own transition goal but E.J. McCormicks shot sailed wide right as keeper Paul Shoemaker dove to the ground in an effort to keep the Panthers scoreless.
As a half hour of match play ticked off the game clock, Pitt's Matt Baker created a shot through the Orange and Brown defense but was rejected when it ricocheted off the right corner post and took a BGSU roll away from the playing zone.
The Falcon's extended their lead to two when Alec Perea found Kim across the field on a breakaway. Kim then scored his second goal of the match with a bit of fancy footwork and pushed the Falcons two goals ahead of the Panthers at the 33:45 mark.
"We have been starting our games with fresh and lively and we are doing what we need to do to go out there and win," said Thompson. `Right now we are working on playing with and maintaining a lead. It can be pretty simple but it is something that we have not done and we are learning to deal with."
Prior to the match, the Pitt defense had allowed four first-half goals in the duration of the season while the offense cranked out 10.
Bowling Green led 2-0 after one complete half.
Pitt brought a more inspired effort into the second half and despite Keeyan Young's second-half goal the BGSU defense saved the Falcons' win.
The majority of the closing minutes were played with the Falcons in close proximity to Shoemaker but the Orange and Brown repeatedly cut off the Panther's passing lanes sealing the win. In the second meeting of the programs, the Falcons needed to not only overcome playing in an unfamiliar setting, but also had environmental factors working against the squad. Wet field conditions forced multiple changes in possession and missed opportunities for both squads. Fresh cut grass and a steady rain during the match did not help either squad gain the advantage.
The weather was fantastic commented Thompson who denied even noticing the sporadic rain at the conclusion of the match. "I thought it was very competitive at the end, and it says a lot that we hung in there and won the game."
The Falcons will host their last home match on October 20 when MAC powerhouse Akron invades Mickey Cochrane Stadium. The afternoon battle with the regionally ranked Zips will begin at 3:00 p.m.
