BG Battles Nationally-Ranked Notre Dame at Cochrane

Wednesday, August 15

Bowling Green, OH

7:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

Notre Dame

Photo by: Larry Clapper

August 15, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Falcons head to Duquesne to close scrimmage schedule Saturday

By: BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (BGSU Athletic Communications)

The Bowling Green State University men's soccer team faced the nationally-ranked University of Notre Dame in scrimmage play at Cochrane Stadium Wednesday night (Aug 15). The matchup was the Falcons' second of three preseason contests.

A total of 21 players saw action for the Falcons against the Fighting Irish, who are ranked No. 17 in the country in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. Every BGSU player to get into the match played at least 30 minutes, with 12 of those Falcons playing 48 or more minutes. None of the Falcons' field players saw more than 60 minutes of time.

The Irish got a goal from Jack Lynn, with an assist by Sean Dedrick. On the play, Lynn knocked the ball out wide to the right as the visitors approached the penalty area. Paul Rothrock made a run toward the goal but let Lynn's pass go past him to Dedrick. Dedrick hit a cross back into the box to Lynn, who knocked home a one-timer from approximately 12 yards out.

BGSU countered with a goal from Amandy Ayima. A pair of freshmen drew assists on the play, as Matt Walters played a ball to Ike Swiger on the right side of the pitch. Swiger's diagonal ball reached the area as Ayima and UND goalkeeper Keagan McLaughlin converged. Ayima reached it first, poking the ball past the Irish 'keeper, and the BG junior was able to roll the ball into the vacated net.

But, Notre Dame responded with a goal from Ian Aschieris. Lynn picked up the assist, playing a low cross along the end line from the right side of the box. Aschieris just barely beat BGSU goalkeeper Anthony Mwembia to the ball, getting a toe on it to poke it into the near corner of the goal.

Sophomore Vinny Worner fired an absolute laser early in the match, but his shot rang off the crossbar. During the second of the three 30-minute periods, a cross by senior Tate Robertson met the head of Ebenezer Ackon. Ackon's hard shot was on frame, but was hit directly at UND 'keeper McLaughlin, who did not give up a rebound on the play.

The statistics were virtually even, as the team totals were either equal or just one number apart in the following categories: shots, shots on goal, saves, corner kicks and fouls.

The Falcons close out the preseason portion of the schedule on Saturday (Aug. 18), heading to Western Pennsylvania to face Duquesne University. Then, BGSU will prepare for the regular-season opener, which is set for Saturday, Aug. 25. The Falcons host Northern Kentucky University in a 7:00 p.m. start to open the regular season.