Bowling Green State University Athletics
Bowling Green State University
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WESTERN MICHIGAN
BG Blanks Broncos, 1-0, for First MAC Win
September 28, 2008 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 28, 2008
Final Stats
BGSU-WMU Boxscore in PDF Format 
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (BGSUFalcons.com) - Katie Stephenson's first-half goal proved to be all the offense that Alexa Arsenault and the Falcon defense would need, as the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team picked up a 1-0 win at Western Michigan University Sunday afternoon (Sept. 28). The Mid-American Conference match was held at the WMU Soccer Complex.
With the victory, the Falcons improve to 6-3-2 overall, while dropping the Broncos to 2-7-0. Both teams are 1-1-0 in MAC action.
In the 23rd minute of the match, Falcon junior Kaitlyn Kobe made a run down the far left side and put a cross into the box. Bronco goalkeeper Julia Francy left her line to make a play on the ball, but could not hold on, and Stephenson put the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead. Kobe drew the lone assist on the goal.
At the other end of the field, Arsenault and the Falcon defense were tested on numerous occasions, but the redshirt sophomore 'keeper made 10 saves to record a clean sheet. WMU was credited with an 18-8 advantage in shot attempts, including a 10-6 margin in shots on goal.
For the Broncos, Francy had five saves on the day.
"We had two major themes for the team prior to today's game," said BGSU head coach Andy Richards. "One, playing Western Michigan, especially on their home field, is always a tough game. They always battle and fight, and are always a tough opponent to play against.
"The other thing was, we wanted to see the response after the disappointment of Friday's loss (at Northern Illinois). And, we definitely got a good response from the team. We matched Western Michigan in terms of their competitive spirit.
"Credit to Katie for her goal. It was a simple finish from a defensive mistake, but give her credit for following Kaitlyn Kobe's ball and being in the right place at the right time. It's a simple thing, but we talk to the team about it all the time, and Katie did it.
"We are glad to get the shutout as well. We will take the split this weekend on the road. But, of course, we strive to win every game, and we will work very hard this week to push forward and see if we can't be even more successful next week on the road.
"Overall, though, it was a good performance today, and we are very happy to get our first MAC win."
The Falcons will return to the road next weekend, with matches at Ohio on Friday (Oct. 3) and Akron Sunday (Oct. 5). The latter contest will conclude a five-game road swing for the Brown and Orange.
NOTES
* The Falcons have won five of the last six games, and BGSU is 6-1-1 over the last eight matches after starting the season with a record of 0-2-1.
* All six of BGSU's wins, and one of the Falcons' two ties, have been shutouts.
* Sophomore Katie Stephenson's goal at Western Michigan was her third of the season, tying her for the team lead ... seniors Gina Rossi and Corbie Yee each have three goals this year as well.
* Stephenson's seven points have come in the last five games ... she has topped her total for all of last season, having amassed five points as a freshman in 2007.
* For Stephenson, Sunday's game-winning goal was the second of her career ... she scored a 'Golden Goal' in the win at Miami last fall.
* Junior Kaitlyn Kobe picked up her third assist this season, after going her first two years without a point ... Kobe also had helpers vs. Tennessee Tech and Marshall in back-to-back games (Sept. 12 and 14).
* The Falcons now has seven shutouts in this season's 11 games ... redshirt sophomore Alexa Arsenault has five complete-game shutouts, and has combined with senior Christy Zabek for the other two.
* Arsenault's total of five shutouts this season increases her career total to 11 ... those 11 shutouts have come in just 24 career starts ... Arsenault ranks third on that school list, trailing only Erika Flanders (17 shutouts from 1999-2002) and Ali Shingler (16 from 2001-05).
* On Friday at Northern Illinois, Arsenault saw her career-long personal shutout streak snapped at 380:34 ... she gave up a pair of goals early in the first half of that match, but now has started a new streak, having blanked opponents for 164:50 since that time.
* Friday's game marked BGSU's first-ever loss in DeKalb, Ill. ... Sunday's contest was the Falcons' first-ever win in Kalamazoo, Mich. ... BGSU is now 1-6-0 all-time in road games vs. the Broncos.
* The Falcons have scored 10 first-half goals through 11 games, topping the total for all of last year ... the 2007 club scored a total of nine first-half goals in 22 games.
