Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Huskies Down Falcons in MAC Quarterfinal
November 13, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 13, 2007
Final Stats |
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BOWLING GREEN,Ohio - Northern Illinois University netted three goals at Mickey Cochrane Field to end the Bowling Green State University Falcons' hopes of repeating last season's trip to Friday's MAC semifinal match against top seeded University of Akron. With the 3-0 loss the Falcon's are an even 2-2 against the Huskies in postseason tournament play.
"I want to congratulate Northern Illinois on a game well played," said BGSU head coach Fred Thompson They came out with a specific game plan, intensity and energy. NIU deserved to win today."
NIU kept red-shirt junior Brent Petkus and the Falcon defense busy placing 10 shots on goal with three in the first half and four in the second. Petkus tied his season high saving seven of the 10 SOGs. The Falcons also forced NIU keeper Joe Zimka to make seven saves in the contest but were unable to find the back of the net amongst the attempts.
Sophomore Jacob Lawrence led the Falcon attack into their best scoring opportunities of the match with a narrow left-footed miss from 6-yards out and a shot that ricocheted off the post next to a heap of Falcons in front of Zimka. Both senior Abiola Sandy and freshman Thomas McLean managed to direct shots towards Zimka, but the scrum-like situation resulted in a pair of saves for the visitor.
In the second half, Sandy, playing in his final match in an Orange uniform, challenged and beat the NIU defense, including Zimka, but was unable to successfully finish the play as Blake Gotkowski got a foot on the roller towards the net making the save for the team.
"I feel for the seniors seeing as this is their final game," said Thompson. "In the end, every team but one will end their season with a loss, I just would have liked to see a stronger team effort today.
The team as a whole will learn from the season and today's match. We are a young squad and this lasting impression will help us to move forward."
