Falcons Take Home Opener In Front Of Record Crowd

Friday, August 21

Bowling Green, Ohio

7:00 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

1-0-0

Chicago State

0-1-0

Chicago State

Bowling Green

Photo by: BGSU Strategic Communications

August 21, 2015 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: by Alexx Klein, BGSU Athletic Communications

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Postgame Interview with Coach Basalyga
Postgame Interview with Cadel and Parkinson

Bowling Green, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team opened up its season with a win against Chicago State Friday evening at Cochrane Stadium in front of a record-setting crowd of 803. The Falcons defeated the Cougars 4-0 for the team's first victory in a season opener since 2004.

"We really started off strong tonight," said head coach Lindsay Basalyga. "I'm really pleased with the performance we put on the field. You can see ideas starting to click. I think for the first night out, we are in a good place."

BGSU jumped out early in the contest, scoring on a goal by junior Alexa Cheripko in the sixth minute. Sophomore Skylar Fleak played the ball into the box where her pass found freshman Juli Knapp, who then connected with Cheripko for the score. The Falcons scored again in the 12th minute on a goal by redshirt freshman Erica Hubert.

Already up 2-0, Madison Schupbach kept the scoring going with a goal in the 28th minute. The sophomore dribbled across the middle of the field and capitalized on a left-footed shot from the top of the box.

Less than 30 seconds later, Hubert found Mikaela Couch running across the box through the defense for a one-on-one opportunity, resulting in Couch's first goal of the season.

For Cheripko, Hubert and Couch, it was their first career goals.

The Falcons took a 4-0 lead into halftime, dominating the shot column 17-3 and corner kicks 7-0.

Despite not notching a goal in the second half, BGSU controlled possession for most of the half, outshooting Chicago State 13-5.

The Cougars tightened up on defense in the final 45 minutes, keeping the Falcons off the board despite multiple opportunities.

In the 61st minute, a Bowling Green goal was called offsides, keeping the score at 4-0. Freshman Abbie Bacon had a flurry with two shots on goal in a span of 11 seconds in the 88th minute to try to add onto the team's lead, but both were saved by Chicago State's goalkeeper, Audra Wisehart.

2014 Second-Team All-MAC selection, Lauren Cadel, recorded two saves in 51 minutes of action in her first victory of the season. Alexis Smith, the second keeper to see action on the evening for BGSU, notched three saves in 39 minutes.

The crowd of 803 broke the previous women's soccer record of 700 that was set in 2002.

"The fan support was great and getting the crowd involved added some momentum for us," Basalyga said. "We were playing with a little bit of a swagger that we haven't had in years past at this time of year. We only really started to scratch the surface as we head into Sunday's game."

BGSU will look to get to 2-0-0 for the first time since 2000 when the Falcons host IPFW Sunday at 1 pm. The Mastodons opened the season with a 3-1 loss to Northern Kentucky Friday.