BG Breaks into Win Column With 3-2 Victory at WIU

Sunday, September 2

Macomb, IL

1:00 PM CT (2:00 PM ET)

Bowling Green State University

1-2-1

Western Illinois

0-3-1

Bowling Green

Western Illinois

Vinny Worner v Wright State - Aug 31 2018

Vinny Worner scored the first goal of Sunday's match

Photo by: Larry Clapper

September 02, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Final Statistics (PDF)

Worner scores first collegiate goal; Sullivan has three-point match

By: MACOMB, Ill. (BGSU Athletic Communications)

The Bowling Green State University men's soccer team broke into the win column on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 2), picking up a 3-2 victory at Western Illinois University. The non-conference match was held at John MacKenzie Alumni Stadium.

Sophomores Vinny Worner and Chris Sullivan and senior Moe Mustafa scored the Falcons' (1-2-1) goals. Worner's goal was his first collegiate marker, while Sullivan had the second three-point game of his BG career, with an assist along with the goal.

Junior Anthony Mwembia made two saves in goal for the Falcons.

QUOTING COACH NICHOLS
"Our guys were tested on a number of levels today. At times our soccer was quite good, but today wasn't about soccer, it was about a desire to win and our guys delivered a really gutsy performance."

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Sophomore Vinny Worner got the Falcons on the board at the 18:19 mark, beating WIU goalkeeper Tim Trilk off an assist from junior Charlie Maciejewski. Maciejewski received the ball from sophomore Zach Buescher and found Worner entering the right side of the box. Worner tucked his shot inside the far post.
• Chris Sullivan doubled the BG lead with 35:20 gone, as the sophomore entered the box and placed the ball into the back left corner of the net. Worner had saved the ball from going over the end line, and senior Tate Robertson slid a pass to the onrushing Sullivan, who one-timed it past Trilk.
• The Falcons took that 2-0 lead into the intermission. BG outshot WIU by a 7-3 count in the first half, including a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal.
• Midway through the second half, Sullivan found senior Moe Mustafa in the box, and Mustafa's header gave the Brown and Orange a three-goal lead. Sullivan had received the ball from a Robertson short corner.
• But, the Leathernecks would rally. Paul Kirdorf put the hosts on the board with an unassisted goal at the 78:48 mark.
• Then, WIU was awarded a penalty kick, and Kirdorf converted the shot to cut BG's lead to 3-2 with 7:18 left in the second half.
• The hosts had one more shot attempt, but that effort by Daniel Kadima was wide left with just under two minutes to go, and the Falcons were able to close out the road win.

NOTES AND NUMBERS
• For the fourth time in as many matches this season to date, BGSU held advantages in both shots and corner kicks. The Falcons had a 12-10 lead in total shots, including a 9-4 advantage in shots on goal, and BG took five corners to Western's two.
• Junior Anthony Mwembia, as mentioned, made a pair of saves, both in the first half, en route to the win. WIU's Tim Trilk had six stops on the afternoon.
• Sophomores Vinny Worner and Chris Sullivan and senior Moe Mustafa, as mentioned, all found the back of the net in Sunday's win. For each of the three players, the goal was his first of the season.
• For Worner, it was his first collegiate goal. The sophomore has started all four matches this season after playing in just two contests last fall.
• Sullivan's goal was the third of his career, and he now has eight points on those three goals and a pair of assists.
• Sullivan had three points on Sunday, with an assist in addition to his goal. The three-point match was the second of his young career. He also had a goal and an assist in a win over Cleveland State just over a year ago (Aug. 29, 2017).
• Mustafa's goal was his sixth as a Falcon. He scored one goal in 2016 and four more last season. Three of those six goals, including Sunday's have been game-winning goals.
• Mustafa now has 14 career points on those six goals and a pair of assists.
• Junior Charlie Maciejewski's assist on Worner's goal was his first point of the young season and the second assist of his BG career. He now has four career points as a Falcon.
• Sophomore Erik Horvath saw his first action of the season on Sunday, while three Falcons -- freshman Colin McCort and Kale Nichols and sophomore Sam Pugliese -- made their collegiate debuts vs. WIU.
• In all, 19 different Falcons saw action in Sunday's win.

WHAT'S NEXT?
• The Falcons return to Northwest Ohio to prepare for a Friday (Sept. 7) matchup with nationally-ranked Michigan State University. The Spartans are ranked fifth in the country in both the United Soccer Coaches and College Soccer News polls. Friday's match is set for a 7:00 p.m. start, and as always, admission is free to all regular-season soccer action at Cochrane Stadium.

FOLLOW THE FALCONS
• For more information on the men's soccer program, follow the Falcons on Twitter (@BGAthletics and @BGSUmenssoccer), Instagram (bgsumenssoccer) and Facebook (BGMensSoccer) as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.