Falcons, Niagara Battle to Scoreless Draw

Friday, September 3

Niagara University, N.Y.

7:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

0-3-1

Niagara

2-0-1

OT 5

OT 6

Bowling Green

Niagara University

Aug 22 2010 vs Cincinnati - photo by Jason Knavel

Alexa Arsenault played the second half and the two OT periods, making six saves

September 03, 2010 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. (BGSU Athletic Communications)

The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team withstood Niagara University's offensive pressure, coming away with a 0-0 tie in Friday action (Sept. 3). The non-conference match was held under the lights at Niagara Field.

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The draw leaves the Falcons with a record of 0-3-1 on the year, while the Purple Eagles are now 2-0-1.

NU had a 19-5 advantage in shot attempts, including a 10-1 margin in the second half. After registering two shot attempts in the game's first five minutes, the Brown and Orange did not get another shot until nearly 64 minutes had elapsed.

But, the BG defense was up to the task, holding NU off the scoreboard. Sophomore Laura Arnold and fifth-year senior Alexa Arsenault combined for the shutout in goal. Arnold played the first half, making one save. Arsenault was in net for the second half and the two overtime periods, and had a total of six stops.

The Purple Eagles had a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal. Ashleigh Bowers made two saves for the home team.

One of those saves by Bowers came in the first minute of the match, as sophomore Sarah VonderBrink got behind the NU defense and hit a shot from along the end line.

Another Falcon chance came with approximately seven minutes left in the half, as junior Alyssa Zuccaro found freshman Ivi Casagrande with a pass. Casagrande played a nice diagonal ball into the box, but Bowers grabbed it before BG junior Katelyn Turner could get to it.

In the second half, the Purple Eagles controlled the play for the most part, holding BGSU to just that one shot attempts. The Brown and Orange had a few chances with under 20 minutes left -- both coming on crosses by Turner. But, on both occasions, Bowers was able to corral the ball before Turner's pass could find a Falcon teammate.

The visitors had the only shot attempt of the first overtime period, as senior co-captain Katie Stephenson got a shot on net. But, there were a few anxious moments for Falcon fans in the second OT period, especially in the late going. The Purple Eagles had three corner kicks in the final 10 minutes, including two in the last 83 seconds, but BG was able to clear the ball on two occasions, while the other CK landed harmlessly behind the net.

Perhaps the most dangerous scoring chance for either team came with only six seconds left in the match. A BGSU goal kick was intercepted by a Niagara player near midfield. Her forward ball struck the head of a Falcon player, and found the foot of Laura Kimoto, who was heading toward the BG goal relatively unimpeded. Arsenault, however, made arguably her best save of the night, blocking Kimoto's shot from point-blank range, and a rebound try sailed just wide of the target as the final horn sounded.

The Falcons remain in Western New York, heading to St. Bonaventure to take on the Bonnies on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 5). Kickoff for that match will be 1:00 p.m.