Bonnies End Falcons' School-Record Home Unbeaten Streak, 1-0

Friday, September 11

Bowling Green, Ohio

5:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

St. Bonaventure

September 11, 2009 | Women's Soccer

By: BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (BGSU Athletic Communications)

Shannon Van Riper's goal in the 17th minute of the match was enough to lift Saint Bonaventure University to a 1-0 victory over the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team Friday afternoon (Sept. 11). The non-conference match was held at BGSU's Cochrane Field.

* ST. BONAVENTURE 1, BGSU 0 - Final Stats
* ST. BONAVENTURE 1, BGSU 0 - PDF Boxscore

The result leaves both teams with 3-3-0 records on the season. The loss ends the Falcons' school-record home unbeaten streak at 11 matches, dating to August of 2008.

The Bonnies outshot the Falcons by an 11-9 count, with both teams putting seven shots on net. Kathryn Kerkman made seven saves for the visitors to earn the shutout in goal, while BGSU redshirt junior Alexa Arsenault had five stops at the other end. The BGSU defense was credited with one 'team save.'

That 'team save' came just over 11 minutes into the match, during the first good scoring chance for either team. Off of a corner kick, the ball was deflected and landed at the feet of SBU's Courtney Bosse at the top of the penalty area. Bosse's resulting shot was blocked, but the ball went directly to Tori Burchett, who was stationed on the right side of the goal. Burchett had time to settle the ball, and fired a low shot, but BG senior Kaitlyn Kobe, standing on the goal line just inside the post, blocked the ball out of danger.

Several minutes later, however, another deflected corner kick resulted in what would prove to be the only goal of the day. Janelle Taylor took that CK, from the southeast corner of Cochrane Field. The ball glanced off several bodies and caromed directly to Van Riper approximately 10 yards out. Kobe made a lunging effort and actually got a boot on Van Riper's shot, but was unable to keep this shot from crossing the line. Taylor drew the lone assist on the goal, which came at the 16:23 mark.

Each team had a few more chances before halftime, but the Falcons had just one shot on goal over the remaining 28-plus minutes before the break. That shot came from sophomore Alyssa Zuccaro, who led the Falcons with three total shots on the afternoon. Junior Jackie Tamerlano beat a defender and slid a forward ball to Zuccaro on the right side of the goal. Zuccaro attempted a shot from near the touch line, but Kerkman was able to scoop it up with 11 minutes left before halftime.

The Bonnies had a good chance with under seven minutes on the clock. Burchett's pass found Nicole Rosso down the right side of the pitch, and Rosso played a crossing ball to Marilyn Wargo about 10 yards away from the goal. But, Wargo fired her shot high over the bar.

In the second half, neither team had a strong scoring threat until only 21-plus minutes remained. Bosse fired a left-side cross into the box, where teammate Anna Cunningham made a dive to meet the ball with her head. Cunningham tied Zuccaro for game honors with three shot attempts, and led all players with three shots on goal. This diving header try, however, was right at Arsenault, who was able to grab the ball and prevent a rebound.

But, the Falcons could not solve Kerkman and the SBU defense. With 13 minutes left, Tamerlano was fouled just outside the box, on the left side near the end line. The ensuing free kick, however, was knocked out of the penalty area, leading to a Bonnie rush the other way. That counterattack was thwarted by an offsides call.

With under six minutes left, junior Katie Stephenson was able to get her head on a long free kick by senior co-captain Colleen Kordan, but the shot was directly at Kerkman. Less than a minute later, sophs Megan Amann and Zuccaro strung together several passes, and 'Z' found Tamerlano with an entry ball. But, Tamerlano's low shot was saved by the SBU 'keeper.

Just under four minutes remained when another long free kick by Kordan sailed into the box. This time, senior Stacey Lucas was on the receiving end, and she fired a shot toward the upper-right corner of the frame. But, Kerkman was able to get to the shot and knock it out of bounds, and the visitors were able to clear the resulting corner kick away from the goal.

The game featured a total of 35 fouls, with the Bonnies being whistled for 22 of them. The visitors also had the only yellow card issued in the match.

As mentioned, the loss brought an end to BGSU's school-record 11-match home unbeaten streak. The Falcons had been 10-0-1 at Cochrane Field since a loss to Michigan State on Aug. 31, 2008. Still, the current senior class is 22-11-1 at home in their careers.

The Falcons will look to bounce back on Sunday (Sept. 13), as BG closes a three-match homestand with a 1:00 p.m. contest vs. Youngstown State University at Cochrane.