Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bulls Edge Falcons, 2-1
October 06, 2006 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 6, 2006
Final Stats | Photo Gallery
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Sophomore George Davis IV's goal gave the Falcons (2-10-1, 0-2-0) the early lead in today's MAC match but the Falcons were unable to stop the Bulls (8-3-1, 2-0-0) in a 2-1 final decision at Mickey Cochrane Field.
"It was a very good effort and that is what we were looking for," said head coach Fred Thompson. "The goal for this game was to make our third strong showing. The outcome was not what we wanted, but I think we accomplished our goal."
The Orange and Brown became the first team to score in the first half on the Buffalo defense this season when Davis IV broke through two Bull defenders to record his second career goal for the Falcons. The goal was scored just two and half minutes in to match play.
Just seconds earlier, Cameron Hepple looked as if he would rob the Bulls of their perfect first half record as his shot just missed the inside of the goal by mere inches.
"We cannot fault anyone on the effort or intensity," said Thompson. "We created a lot of chances and we played well. We just got punished for a few first half mistakes and were not able to dig ourselves out of that hole."
One BGSU's two first half mistakes included a long Brian Knapp crossing pass that resulted in the tying goal off the foot of Buffalo's offensive threat Andrae Clarke. The score was leveled at 1-1 at the 9:11 mark.
Veteran keeper, Paul Shoemaker helped the Falcons remain even with Buffalo in the early shootout making one of his four match high saves in his denial of Clarke's header in the twenty-second minute.
The winning goal was taken by UB's Dan Stevens after 28:38 minutes had expired on the game clock. The Bulls Marc Stencel had several Bulls to choose from in the attack in Falcon territory and connected on a horizontal through pass to Stevens for the lead and the win.
Other BGSU scoring opportunities included near misses from headers by freshmen Jacob Lawrence and Hunter Van Houten.
Van Houten's header appeared as it if was going to be the second Falcons score. Although it was out the UB keeper's reach, the shot hit the post in the first half of the match and took a UB bounce away from the goal.
"Hunter has done brilliantly for us so far. The whole thing for him is not to get frustrated and it is difficult for a player who wants to score," said Thompson. "George was going through the same thing and with this goal he was able to break the ice. Hunter is doing a lot of other great things for us. I would like to see him score and I know it will come."
The Falcons will take a break from the MAC on Wednesday when they face their last non-conference opponent, the Panthers of the University of Pittsburgh. The night match is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start at Pitt's Founders Field.
"The MAC is still wide open and the more important thing is the MAC Tournament has still yet to be played," said Thompson.
BGSU will return home to face conference powerhouse Akron on Friday, October 20. The 3:00 p.m. match will be the last home match for the Birds of Prey in 2006.
