Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Central Arkansas
Sandy's Late Goal Lifts Falcons
September 14, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 14, 2007
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Abiola Sandy's goal in the 109th minute pushed the Bowling Green State University Falcons to a 1-0 win over the visiting University of Central Arkansas Bears in game two of the 2007 Falcon Invitational on Friday afternoon at Mickey Cochrane Stadium. With the win, BGSU improves to 2-2-1 on the year, while UCA drops to 2-3-0.
The extra-minute thriller was the third consecutive home opening match which has been forced into double overtime dating back to 2005. Head coach Fred Thompson's Falcons have now beat then-nationally ranked Ohio State (3-2, 2OT), Western Illinois (2-1, 2OT) and now the University of Central Arkansas (1-0, 2OT) as they usher in the home portion of their schedule.
"It is good to be home after four tough road games," said Thompson. "And while I am not a proponent for these double overtime games, I will gladly go to triple or quadruple overtime to start the season this well at home.
"The team is determined to start this weekend right, and I believe we are half way there."
Today's game-winner, a three-on-two break away goal with less than a minute remaining, was Sandy's second as a Falcon. His first came in regulation play against Cleveland State on Oct. 26, 2005 during his sophomore campaign. In fact, his three goals in 2005 were his latest before today's netter. Last season, Sandy fired just seven shots in his 12 games played.
"Coming-off of last weekend [two road loses] this was a big win for us. It has lifted our spirits and will make Sunday fun," said Sandy, the senior man of the hour. "Some of the freshmen are now getting used to our style of play in the collegiate game and are understanding the meaning of intense. It's easy to say I have seen the freshman mature from this game."
The fateful goal was scored with 49 seconds remaining in the match as freshman Matt Klancic received a pass at midfield after the Falcon defense cut UCA's attack possession short in the backfield. Sandy, the lead trailer, passed Klancic on a sprint as the two were joined by third Orange and White jersey outnumbering the UCA defense three-to-two. Klancic found Sandy on the right wing and delivered control of the ball and ultimately the game. The senior then split the UCA defensive challengers, fired his shot on the run and the outcome is now history.
"I was really tried at that point, but what can I say, we won," said Sandy. Thompson noted Sandy's athleticism in the play as his sprint was nearly an 80-yard dash.
The Orange and Brown's defense held the Bears to three shots in the first period and allowed an additional three throughout the remainder of the match. Keeper Paul Shoemaker made three saves in the win.
The shutout is the second of the Falcon's 2007 season and the third of Shoemaker's BGSU career in goal. The match also doubles as the first home shutout since the 1-0 win over Kentucky (Nov. 9) in the second round of the 2003 Mid-American Conference Tournament.
Bowling Green will return to action on Sunday afternoon as they repeat today's 2:30 p.m. start to square-off against the Griffins of Canisius College in the final game of the tournament. Canisius dropped their first match of the tournament as they were defeated by the University of Detroit Mercy, 4-0 in game one earlier in the afternoon.
#BGSU SOCCER#
