Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Falcons Fall to Northern Illinois, 2-0
November 13, 2008 | Men's Soccer
Nov. 13, 2008
Final Stats |
BGSU-Northern Illinois Photo Gallery 
BGSU-Northern Illinois boxscore in PDF Format 
Final 2008 Statistics (13 pages) in PDF Format
AKRON, Ohio (BGSUFalcons.com) - Northern Illinois University scored a goal in each half to post a 2-0 win over the Bowling Green State University men's soccer team Thursday morning/afternoon (Nov. 13). The match, a quarterfinal-round contest in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, was held at Lee Jackson Field on the University of Akron campus.
With Thursday's result, the second-seeded Huskies improve to 10-5-4 on the year, and advance to Friday's (Nov. 14) semifinal round. The Falcons, seeded seventh, see the season come to an end with a record of 4-13-2.
The Huskies' first goal was an own goal, after a free kick by NIU's Luis Mojica was knocked into the Falcons' net by a BGSU defender. That goal, at the 28:30 mark, held up as the winner.
Danny Lopez scored Northern's other goal, seven-and-a-half minutes into the second period.
"It was a very good effort by the boys today," said Falcon head coach Fred Thompson. "We fought; we really battled. Northern is a tough team that has played some of the top teams in the country very well, and they played well today.
"There wasn't all that much difference in the game -- they may have had a few more shots, but in terms of creating opportunities, we were pretty much right there with them."
The first real opportunity for either team came nearly 15 minutes in, after a foul on NIU. Falcon senior goalkeeper Paul Shoemaker took the free kick from midfield, finding junior Tyler Deal for a shot that NIU 'keeper Joe Zimka punched away. The Huskie defense was able to clear the ball out of danger.
The first Huskie chance came in the 23rd minute, after a foul on the Falcons. But, Northern's Luis De La Cerda played his service too long while looking for a teammate near the far post.
The Huskies got on the board approximately six minutes later, and took that 1-0 lead into the intermission.
NIU's second-half goal came off of Brad Horton's cross to a running Lopez, who was able to finish.
Northern Illinois outshot the Falcons 12-8, with a 4-2 edge in shots on goal. Both Shoemaker and Zimka made two saves.
"It was a tough loss, a tough way to end our season, but the guys battled hard and acquitted themselves well," said Thompson. "They created chances, and defended well for the most part. Now, we will give them a little bit of time off, and get right back at it. Preparations for 2009 start in just a couple days."
NIU moves on to meet #3 seed Buffalo in Friday's semifinal round. UB exploded for a 6-0 win over #6 Florida Atlantic in Thursday's second game.
In the final game of the day at Lee Jackson Field, #4 Hartwick posted a 4-0 victory over #5 Western Michigan. HC will meet top-seeded Akron in Friday's second semifinal.
The Falcons lose the services of four seniors -- Shoemaker, Ryan Davis, Kyle McNayr and Brent Petkus -- off of the 2008 squad.
Lee Jackson Field; Akron, Ohio
Quarterfinals - Thursday, Nov. 13
#2 Northern Illinois 2, #7 Bowling Green 0
#3 Buffalo 6, #6 Florida Atlantic 0
#4 Hartwick 4, #5 Western Michigan 0
Semifinals - Friday; Nov. 14
#2 Northern Illinois vs. #3 Buffalo, 5:00 p.m.
#4 Hartwick at #1 Akron, 7:30 p.m.
Championship - Sunday; Nov. 16
NIU/UB winner vs. HC/UA winner, 2:00 p.m.
2008 ALL-MAC AWARDS
2008 Player of the Year
Steve Zakuani, Akron
2008 Newcomer of the Year
Darlington Nagbe, Akron
2008 Gary V. Palmisano Coach of the Year
Caleb Porter, Akron
All-MAC First Team
Midfielder - Anthony Ampaipitakwong, Akron
Midfielder - Blair Gavin, Akron
Midfielder - Darlington Nagbe, Akron
Midfielder - Alex Marrello, Buffalo
Forward - Steve Zakuani, Akron
Forward - Matt Tutich, Akron
Forward - J.P. Boyle, Hartwick
Defender - Kofi Sarkodie, Akron
Defender - Daniel Gwyther, Buffalo
Defender - Liam Parrington, Hartwick
Goalkeeper - Evan Bush, Akron
All-MAC Second Team
Midfielder - Ben Zemanski, Akron
Midfielder - Dominic Oppong, Buffalo
Midfielder - Drew Jeskey, Northern Illinois
Midfielder - Brad Horton, Northern Illinois
Forward - Daniel Bulley, Buffalo
Forward - Shire Standnes, Florida Atlantic
Forward - Ben Thomas, Northern Illinois
Defender - Jonathan Garcia-Torres, Hartwick
Defender - Steffen Thoresen, Buffalo
Defender - Ossie Michaelsen, Akron
Goalkeeper - Bobby Shuttleworth, Buffalo
