Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
Wright State
Shoemaker, Falcons Shut Out Raiders
September 23, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 23, 2007
DAYTON, Ohio - Junior Paul Shoemaker and the Falcon defense recorded their third shut-out of the season as Bowling Green State University beat the Wright State Raiders 2-0 at WSU's Alumni Field on Sunday afternoon. Bowling Green is 3-4-1 through eight non-conference matches. Today's loss was the fifth for Wright State in seven games (2-5-0).
The Falcons are 3-4-2 all-time when competing with the Raiders and have shut out WSU each of their triumphant outings (1982, W 2-0; 1983, W 3-0; 2007, W 2-0).
"Our goal was to come down here and not give up any goals on the road and we took care of that today," said head coach Fred Thompson.
"Paul [Shoemaker] really did not get called into action much until the second half, but he gave a solid performance when we needed him most. There was a spell later in the game where we either could have been up 4-0 or could have been tied 2-2, but Paul did a nice job of maintaining our lead."
For the third time this season, the Falcon defense did not allow a shot to be taken directly on the goal in the first half of regulation. Bowling Green is now 2-1 when Shoemaker does not have a stat recorded in the opening 45:00 of the match.
The story at the other end of the field was quite different as Wright State's Tebias Mason was kept on his toes due to the Bowling Green offense placing eight of their sixteen shots on target this afternoon. Mason ended the match with six saves and two goals against.
In the seventh minute of the match, Cameron Hepple took advantage of a throw-in in front of the Wright State bench and beat Mason one-on-one from ten yards out giving BGSU the 1-0 lead. The goal was Hepple's second career score.
Hepple went on to record a game high four shots with two on goal.
"What a gorgeous goal. I thought we knocked the ball around particularly well in the first half and that goal proved that we can be dangerous," said Thompson.
Later, Thomas McLean's free kick contributed to Sandy's penalty kick and the second and final Falcon score (29:43).
The chain of events began as McLean lifted a free kick over the Wright State wall of defenders which was picked up by Hunter Van Houten in the box. Van Houten's defender was caught using his hands to deflect the ball and BGSU was awarded the PK.
"It was great to see our senior captain assert himself to step-up and take the responsibility of the PK. Abby [Sandy] just ripped his shot and it was a fantastic goal," said Thompson.
Sandy has now scored three goals in thei last four matches and currently leads the team with his three goals this season. He also tops the active BGSU offense with six career goals and 15 points.
Despite having other scoring chances in the first 10 minutes of the second half, BGSU maintained their 2-0 halftime lead through the second period for the victory.
Next, the Falcons will prepare to open the Mid-American Conference season at the University at Buffalo on Sept. 28. The MAC season is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. in New York.
#BGSU Soccer#
