Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
OAKLAND
Oakland Beats Falcons 2-1 in Exhibition Play
August 24, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Aug. 24, 2007
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Fred Thompson's Falcons withstood the physical play of visiting Oakland University in a 2-1 exhibition loss Friday afternoon. Bowling Green, like much of the northwest corner of Ohio, spent a majority of the week under water forcing the match to be held on the Falcons' practice field.
"Credit is due to our strength and conditioning staff because we are bigger, stronger, faster and are not going to be pushed around easily this season," said Thompson. "Over the past two games I have seen the team winning small battles on the field, which we had lost last season, and that is helping the team to gain confidence in their own play and in each other."
Oakland scored in the first of three 30:00 periods as Michael Reyes' header slipped between Brent Petkus's extended right arm and an opening just below the corner post of the Falcons' goal structure. Oakland's Vuk Popovic was credited with the assist.
The Grizzlies, by no fault of their own, extended their lead over the hosts when a BGSU defender attempted to control a pass in front of the Orange and Brown goal but instead picked up an unlucky bounce giving OU a 2-0 advantage.
The Falcons, who were in primary offensive control throughout much of the match, chipped in a score of their own as Jacob Lawrence redirected an Alec Perea pass past the Grizzly defense in the second 30:00 period.
"We are pretty young in the backfield. Today we started three sophomores and three freshman but we are not letting that youth hamper our advancement. Those players are back there for a reason, they give a solid presence on defense which allows us to move forward on the attack."
That young Bowling Green defense forced eight OU offside calls while allowing the visitors seven shots and booting 11 shots of their own.
Bowling Green will open the season on August 31 at Florida International and will remain in the Sunshine State to take on Florida Atlantic on September 2.
