Bowling Green State University Athletics
Williams' Late Goal Not Enough For Falcon Comeback
October 22, 2006 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 22, 2006
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Bowling Green fell to 3-12-1 as they dropped a Mid-American Conference contest to the Mastodons of IPFW. The win gave the `Dons (2-13-1, 1-4-1) their first ever conference win and their first win against a Division I opponent this season.
"This was another competitive MAC game because there are no easy wins in this conference," said head coach Fred Thompson. "IPFW came out and gave a good showing at their last home match on Senior Day."
The Mastodon offense peaked early with Barry Morgan's goal off Evan Coss' through ball from inside the box. Although IPFW gained the lead within the first three minutes of the match, the Falcons owned the momentum and were creating shots often.
"We just did not score the goals we created for ourselves. Additionally, their keeper made a lot of great saves," said Thompson.
The Orange and Brown had what seemed to be a quick hitting opportunity to tie the match as Hunter Van Houten's free kick found the head of a Bowling Green player in the midst of a sea of Don's in front of their goal structure. The play continued to Justin Kim whose angle was in the peripheral vision of IPFW keeper Michael Knitter. Knitter's reaction to the shot narrowly detained the Falcon offense set.
Had we not started a goal we would have played a much different game. IPFW was content after the goal. They are a savvy team who played comfortably with the lead, noted Thompson.
The Falcons continued to create scoring opportunities throughout the first half, Kim and George Davis IV combined for five of seven BGSU shots in the first half. The duo also posted two of the squad's three shots on goal.
IPFW and BGSU sat in a dead heat in shots (7), corner kicks (3), and saves (3) after the first 45:00 of regulation play.
The pace of the second half was spent mostly in transition for the Don's. The Falcons once again systematically set-up the offense and earned four corner kick situations to IPFW's one chance.
"We had some great chances in the first half, but made even better ones in the second. I think it might have been a bit easier to score if we were even or had the lead," said Thompson. The Don's extended their lead to two goals when Chas Perry challenged BGSU keeper Paul Shoemaker in a one-on-one situation behind the Falcon defense. Perry's shot extended over Shoemaker's right hand and landed in the net for the IPFW score at 76:17.
Kyle Williams brought the Falcons within one goal of the Dons just over five minutes later with his unassisted goal at the 81:38 mark. BGSU flooded the scoring area on the Van Houten corner kick and after several touches of the ball, Williams buried his first goal of the season cutting the match to a one goal deficit.
Bowling Green continued to battle for scoring position, but was upended by the host squad. Bowling Green is now 1-1-0 against IPFW in conference competition and is 3-3-0 since meeting with the Dons' for the first time in 1982. BGSU's all-time goal lead remains intact, 14-13.
Light snow flurries and other prior weather elements created wet field conditions and allowed a handful of injuries to stop the official game clock.
The Birds of Prey ended their road victory streak at two and fall to 2-4-1 when playing on the road. They will conclude their conference and season play on Friday at Western Michigan. The match in Kalamazoo, Michigan will kick-off at 3:00 p.m.
"We need to start the next game on level ground and we will be ok. This one is still a big game and could be a determining factor in the match-ups and locations of the tournament play-in games," said Thompson.
Tuesday, October 31, Mid-American Conference tournament play-in contests pairings and sites will be announced at the conclusion of season.
