Bowling Green State University Athletics
1998 Women's Soccer Releases
March 20, 2020 | Women's Soccer
Intercollegiate Athletics Women's Soccer
1998 BGSU Women's Soccer Releases
(Dec. 1 Notes)
TWO FALCONS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-MAC HONORS
Lisy Makes First Team; Enser Earns Honorable Mention
Two BGSU women's soccer student-athletes were named to the 1998 Academic All-MAC Team. Junior Michelle Lisy (Strongsville, Ohio) was named to the first team, while sophomore Ashley Enser (Toledo, Ohio) earned honorable mention. The team was selected by the league's Faculty Athletic Representatives. To be eligible for the Academic All-MAC Team, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA, be a starter or key reserve for his/her team and have completed one full year at the school. Freshmen, redshirt freshmen and first-year transfers are not eligible for the award.Lisy, who earned honorable mention to the 1997 team, carries a 3.64 GPA in physical education (secondary emphasis). Enser, majoring in child & family community services and minoring in psychology, maintains a 3.38 GPA.
(Nov. 9 Release)
BGSU FALLS IN MAC TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL
Second-Year Falcons, Markedly Improved Over a Season Ago, End Campaign at 8-11-1
The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team, after posting a road win in the Mid-American Conference Tournament's quarterfinal round, saw its season come to an end in the semifinals. The Falcons (8-11-1 overall, 4-5-1 MAC), after finishing in sixth place in the Mid-American Conference standings, posted a 1-0 win at third-seeded Eastern Michigan University in the quarterfinals, before losing to the number-two seed and eventual tourney champ, Northern Illinois University, in the semifinals by a 2-1 count in overtime.
The Falcons end the 1998 campaign, the team's second, with an overall record of 8-11-1.
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo has completed his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 14-23-1 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 97-82-9.
Julie Reule has completed her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE FALCONS: BGSU finished the year with an overall record of 8-11-1, and the Falcons concluded MAC play with a 4-5-1 league mark, good for sixth place. The Brown and Orange entered the MAC Tournament with a season-long, four-match losing streak, but snapped that slide with a 1-0 win at third-seeded Eastern Michigan in Tuesday's (Nov. 3) quarterfinal round. BGSU faced Northern Illinois, the number-two seed and the MAC regular-season co-champions, in Friday's (Nov. 6), and fell in overtime by a 2-1 count. NIU went on to win the title with a 2-1, triple-OT victory over Ohio.
The Falcons finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. That team posted a 1-6-0 MAC mark.
GLEIXNER, WECHSLER EARN ALL-MAC HONORS: A pair of freshmen, forward Tracy Gleixner and defender Beth Wechsler, have been named to the 1998 All-MAC Team. Gleixner earned first-team honors, while Wechsler was named to the second team.
Gleixner becomes BGSU's first-ever first-team pick. She set school records with 12 goals and 29 points. In fact, she already ranks as the Falcons' career scoring leader, after just one year.
Wechsler finished in a second-place tie in team scoring, with 12 points on three goals and six assists (second on the team). A case can be made that Wechsler deserved to be named to the first team, as there were no defenders on the first squad and three backs on the second team.
The Falcons did not have a single representative on last year's All-MAC Team.
LISY, ROSNER ON ALL-TOURNEY SQUAD: Two Falcons, junior goalkeeper Michelle Lisy and freshman midfielder Leah Rosner, were named to the MAC All-Tournament Team.
Lisy, who also played forward during the regular season, made 23 saves and surrendered just two goals (0.86 GAA) during BG's tourney run. She made 13 saves in posting a shutout at Eastern Michigan. Lisy stopped 10 Northern Illinois shots in the semifinal loss.
Rosner, who came off the bench in the EMU match, earned her second career start in the NIU contest. She scored BG's lone goal in that match, giving the Falcons a lead which lasted until the 82nd minute.
WELCOME BACK!: BGSU had just one senior on the 25-woman roster. That senior, Krista Shamblin, tied for second on the team with 12 points, and her four goals also deadlocked her for second on the team.
Shamblin was suffering from the flu last week, however. She did not make the trip to Eastern Michigan for the quarterfinal win, meaning that everyone who saw action in that MAC Tournament match retains eligibility for 1998.
In fact, the 14 players that saw time against Eastern included nine freshmen, four sophomores and just one junior.
A total of 15 players - nine frosh, four sophomores, a junior and Shamblin - played in the NIU contest.
LAST WEEK: The Falcons posted the biggest win in school history, beating host Eastern Michigan, 1-0, in the quarterfinal round of the MAC Tournament Tuesday (Nov. 3).
The contest was scoreless for almost 72 minutes, before sophomore Autumn Harris played a nifty through ball to Cari Combs, who was all alone and streaking down the left side of the field. The freshman went in one-on-one and neatly tucked a ball into the lower right corner past EMU 'keeper Erin Norton.
The Falcons, despite facing a total of 23 shots, did not let the third-seeded Eagles find the back of the net. BGSU junior Michelle Lisy made 13 saves, including an acrobatic tip over the bar of an EMU shot with under two minutes remaining. For Lisy, who began the year as primarily a forward and the team's third-string goalie, the shutout was her second of the season.
On Friday (Nov. 6), the Falcons put up a fight, but dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to Northern Illinois in the semifinal round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament Friday (Nov. 6). The match was held in Athens, Ohio.
The Falcons got on the board first. Freshman Leah Rosner, making just her second career start, opened the scoring with her second career goal, at the 28:19 mark. Another freshman, Michelle Hoyng, assisted on the goal. For Hoyng, the assist was her team-high seventh of the season.
The score remained 1-0 until fewer than nine minutes remained in regulation. NIU, the defending MAC Tournament champions and the second seed for the 1998 tourney, equalized on a corner-kick piece. The kick, taken by senior Anne Mucci, found junior Anna Marinaccio, who headed the ball past BGSU goalkeeper Michelle Lisy. That goal came at 81:38.
The teams headed to overtime, and played nearly 28 minutes before NIU freshman Becca Bleyer gave her team the lead with an unassisted marker. The Falcons could not score in the remaining 2:02 (for tournament matches, the first 30-minute overtime session is not sudden death), and the Huskies advanced to the championship round.
Northern outshot BGSU by a 27-9 margin. Lisy, a junior, made 10 saves in the Falcon net, while NIU's Stefanie Maurer stopped seven Falcon shots.
CHECK OUT THESE NUMBERS!: The Falcons broke numerous records in 1998, the team's second season. The Brown and Orange won four MAC matches, which quadrupled the team's total of last year. BGSU had 13 points (three points for a win, one for a tie) in MAC action, after totalling just three points a year ago.
BG had eight overall wins this fall, topping last year's total. The Falcons went 6-12-0 overall and 1-6-0 in the MAC last season.
The Falcons, after scoring 28 goals during all of last season, had 42 goals in 1998.
GLEIXNER NAMED MAC P-O-W: BG freshman Tracy Gleixner was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week Tuesday morning (Nov. 3). She earned the honor for her efforts in the Falcons' final two regular-season matches.
Gleixner scored four of BGSU's five goals in losses to Detroit and Miami, including a hat trick in the UDM contest. In that match, she tied the school record for goals in a match, and set a new school mark for goals in a half, with three. Gleixner scored two of her goals in a span of just 17 seconds, setting yet another school record. On the year, she had 12 goals and 29 points to set BGSU marks in both categories.
UNLUCKY IN OVERTIME: Last year, the Falcons played just one overtime contest. BGSU won that match, a 1-0 victory at Kent in the first contest in school history.
In 1998, however, the Falcons went to overtime on four occasions, and went 0-3-1 in those matches. The Falcons tied KSU and lost to both Dayton and Miami in the regular season, with all of those matches being played at BGSUšs Cochrane Field. The latest overtime setback came Friday (Nov. 6) to Northern Illinois in the semifinals of the MAC Tournament.
GLEIXNER GETS GOALS: Freshman Tracy Gleixner was one of the top players in the MAC this season. She recorded a total of 12 goals this season, shattering the BGSU single-season record. The old record of six was set by Krista Shamblin last fall in the team's inaugural season.
On the year, Gleixner had five assists, and her 29 total points this year obliterated the previous seasonal record. In fact, her 16 points in MAC matches only is more than the previous school record for points in an entire season (13 by Kerry McKee). Gleixner already ranks as BGSU's career scoring leader.
She set additional records at UDM for most goals in a half (three) and fastest two goals (17 seconds).
In October, Gleixner became the first player in school history to score a goal in four consecutive matches. The previous record was two matches.
LISY = VERSATILE: With apologies to Meryl Streep and her perfume, BGSU junior Michelle Lisy has cornered the market on versatility, having proven to be one of the Falcons' most well-rounded players over the team's first two years. In 1997, she began the season as the third-string goalkeeper, but worked her way into the starting lineup at a forward spot. She ended the year with eight points, good for seventh on the team.
This year, Lisy started the 12 matches on the front line and eight in goal. She totalled 11 points, fourth-best on the team. Her total of four goals tied her for second.
Lisy moved into the starting goalie slot for the last seven matches, and posted the first complete-match shutout at Marshall. She also made a career-high 13 saves in the MAC Tournament Quarterfinal at Eastern Michigan, garnering her second shutout. Lisy stopped 10 shots in the semifinal loss to Northern Illinois and earned a spot on the all-tournament team. On the year, she had a 1.90 goals-against average and a saves percentage of .758, both team bests.
FALCON FROSH FLOURISH: With 14 freshmen on the 25-player active roster, it is not surprising that the first-year players scored a large percentage of the BG points in 1998. Falcon frosh accounted for 25 of BG's 41 goals (61%) and 31 of the teamšs 51 assists (also 61%).
FALCON PLAYER NOTES:
ANNMARIE APARO: Freshman from Victor, N.Y...saw action in three matches off the bench...only shot attempt of the season was a good one, resulting in a goal vs. Robert Morris...one of three players to make the team after walk-on tryouts in August.
LESLIE BUSE: Sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio...played in six matches...her only start of the season came vs. Western Michigan...recorded an assists in the Robert Morris match...had one shot attempt on the year, which was on net.
RACHEL CLARK: Sophomore from West Chester, Ohio...suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in July...sat out the entire 1998 season as a redshirt.
CARI COMBS: Freshman from Batavia, Ohio...had a stellar campaign...played in 18 matches, starting them all...the two matches she missed were due to injury...finished fifth on the team with 10 points...her six assists tied her for second...had the lone goal in the MAC Tournament Quarterfinal win at Eastern Michigan...also scored vs. Western Illinois...had two-assist matches vs. both Dayton and Eastern Michigan (regular-season meeting)...also had assists vs. Buffalo and Miami...named to the all-tournament team at BG's own Falcon Classic.
MEREDITH DAVIS: Freshman from Gahanna, Ohio...played in 13 matches, earning a start vs. Northern Illinois...did not register a point on the season...a stay-at-home defender who did not record a shot attempt.
ASHLEY ENSER: Sophomore from Toledo, Ohio...one of just five players to start all 20 matches...one of only two players to start all 38 matches in the program's history...scored one goal, on a penalty kick vs. Central Michigan...had a pair of assists, coming against Robert Morris and Detroit.
DESIREE ERB: Freshman from Wapakoneta, Ohio...saw action in every match, starting four...began the year as one of BG's first forwards off the bench, but ended the season in the starting lineup in the back...had two goals on the season...scored the match-winner in BGSU's first-ever conference road win, at Toledo...also found the net against Robert Morris...her lone assist of the year came on the match-winner vs. RMC.
JAMIE ESHLEMAN: Sophomore from Vacaville, Calif...parents now reside in the Beavercreek, Ohio, area...saw action in all six contests...earned starts in three consecutive matches, against Oakland, Marshall and Ohio...her only point on the year was an assist against Oakland.
SARAH GAWEL: Freshman from Gahanna, Ohio...saw action in goal in 12 matches, starting nine...led BGSU's 'keepers by spending 785:32 in net...had a goals-against average of 3.21 and a 3-6-0 record...earned wins against Valparaiso, Toledo and Buffalo...combined on a shutout win over Western Illinois...had a season-high nine saves against West Virginia...started seven of the first eight matches, missed three matches due to injury, then started the next two contests.
TRACY GLEIXNER: Freshman from Hoffman Estates, Ill...BGSU's first-ever All-MAC First-Team selection...the team leader in goals, with a school-record 12...also set a school mark with 29 points, despite missing a match due to injury...started 18 of her 19 contests...already ranks as the schoolšs career leader in both goals and points...had just the second hat trick in school history, at Detroit...set a BG record for goals in a half in that match, with three...two of those goals came just 17 seconds apart, another school mark...had two goals and an assist vs. Robert Morris...set a BG mark by scoring a goal in four-straight matches...had six goals and four assists (16 points) in MAC contests...three of her goals were match-winners, all coming in league contests (vs. Buffalo, Central Michigan and Marshall) named to the all-tournament team in BG's own Falcon Classic.
AUTUMN HARRIS: Sophomore from Findlay, Ohio...saw action in all 20 matches, starting 17...had three goals, including two in the Falcon Classic...scored goals against Western Illinois and Robert Morris that weekend...also found the back of the net vs. Detroit...her only assist of the year was a key helper, as her through-ball found Cari Combs for the only goal in the MAC Tournament QF win at EMU...ten of her 17 shot attempts were on goal.
STEPHANIE HELLER: Sophomore from Loveland, Ohio...one of just five players to start all 20 matches...scored three goals on the year...added three assists (all match-winners)...her nine points tied her for sixth on the team...had a goal and an assist in MAC win vs. Buffalo...also scored goals vs. Dayton and Michigan State...had assists against Western Illinois and Robert Morris...of her 29 shots, 14 were on goal.
LESLIE HEPFINGER: Freshman from Mason, Ohio...played in all but one match...started the first 16 contests of the year before suffering an injury at Michigan State...that injury forced her to miss the next contest (Detroit) and come off the bench for the last three matches...did not record a point, although all four of her shot attempts on the year were on goal.
MICHELLE HOYNG: Freshman from Dayton...played in all 20 matches, starting 19...did not score a goal, but led the Falcons with seven assists...one assist came vs. Northern Illinois in the MAC Tournament Semifinals...had two helpers at Detroit...added single assists vs. Robert Morris, Dayton, Toledo, Central Michigan...had 16 shot attempts, including nine on net.
ERIN INCORVAIA: Freshman from Toledo, Ohio...saw action in 15 matches off the bench, including the last 11 contests...had a pair of goals, both coming vs. Robert Morris...one of three players to make the team after walk-on tryouts in August.
MICHELLE LISY: Junior from Strongsville, Ohio...one of five players to start every match...made 12 starts at forward and eight at goalkeeper...played both positions vs. Western Michigan and Detroit...started the last seven contests of the year in the net...had a 2-4-1 record with two shutouts and a team-best 1.90 goals-against average...ranked fourth on the team in scoring with 11 points, on four goals and three assists...scored two goals vs. Central Michigan, and added single tallies vs. Valparaiso and Eastern Michigan (first meeting)...had the match-winning assist vs. Western Illinois...also had assists vs. Buffalo and Detroit...set a school record with 171:38 of consecutive shutout ball in goal...that streak came in the MAC Tournament matches vs. EMU and Northern Illinois...made 13 and 10 saves, respectively, in those matches...was named to the MAC's All-Tournament Team...made 50 saves and had a team-best saves percentage of .758.
SARAH MARCHANT: Freshman from Hamilton, Ohio...saw action in seven matches, starting three...posted a 3-1-0 record and a 2.96 GAA...combined for a shutout against Western Illinois...also played 45 minutes without surrendering a goal vs. Robert Morris...earned wins vs. WIU, RMC and Central Michigan.
EMILY McCRACKEN: Sophomore from Edinboro, Pa...saw action in eight matches...made two starts (the first of her career), against Buffalo and Central Michigan...had one assist on the year, vs. Robert Morris...took six shots, including two SOG.
JANICE MENTRUP: Sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio...one of just five Falcons to start all 20 matches, and one of only two BG players to start all 38 contests in school history...tied for sixth on the team in scoring, with nine points...had a goal and an assist vs. Western Michigan...also found the net at Marshall...other assists came against Valparaiso (match-winner), Robert Morris, Northern Illinois and Detroit...named to the all-tournament team at BG's own Falcon Classic...had 49 shot attempts to tie for the team lead.
LIZ ROBARGE: Sophomore from Perrysburg, Ohio...saw action in three matches off the bench...played against Western Illinois, Robert Morris and Marshall...her only shot attempt was on goal, vs. RMC.
LEAH ROSNER: Freshman from Dayton, Ohio...played in 14 matches, including 11 of the last 12...earned starts vs. Detroit and Northern Illinois (MAC Tournament SF)...scored six points on the year...her goal in the NIU tourney match gave the Falcons the lead until the late going...was named to the MAC's All-Tournament Team...also scored at Oakland...both of her assists came vs. Robert Morris...one of three players to make the team after walk-on tryouts in August.
KRISTA SHAMBLIN: Senior from Cincinnati, Ohio...tied for second on the team in scoring with 12 points...saw action in 18 contests, starting four...missed the MAC Tourney QF at Eastern Michigan due to illness...scored four goals, including two vs. Robert Morris...also found the net vs. EMU (first meeting) and Kent...had assists in the match-winning goals vs. both Toledo and Buffalo...also recorded helpers against Western Michigan and Marshall...in one stretch, scored at least one point in four consecutive matches to set a school record (since matched)...the lone senior on the BG roster.
MANDY SMITH: Freshman from Middletown, Ohio...played in 14 contests...started one match, at Eastern Michigan in the league tournament...had three assists on the year, including two vs. Robert Morris...also had an assist on a goal vs. Northern Illinois (first meeting)...played 28 seconds in goal in that match, as an "11th attacker".
BETH WECHSLER: Freshman from Cincinnati, Ohio...named to the All-MAC Second Team...one of five players to start all 20 matches...tied for second on the team in scoring, with 12 points...had three goals, including the match-winner vs. Western Illinois...also scored against Toledo and Northern Illinois (first meeting)...also had an assist vs. NIU...had six assists, tying for second on the team...also assisted vs. Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Marshall (match-winner), Detroit and Miami...named to the all-tournament team at BG's own Falcon Classic.
MACKENZIE WILLIAMS: Junior from Erie, Pa...played in 11 matches, earning starts vs. both Detroit and Miami...scored the match-winning goal in the season opener at Valparaiso...also had one assist, at Oakland.
KRISTY WOLTER: Freshman from Bedford, N.H...played in three matches off the bench...saw action against Western Illinois, Robert Morris and Oakland...picked up an assist vs. RMC.
FALCON NOTES: A total of 21 players on the 25-woman roster started at least one match this year...of the 23 BGSU field players, 20 scored at least one point...the Falcons committed more fouls than the opponent just twice in 20 matches...in MAC contests, BG was out-fouled, 128-69.
FALCON QUICK FACTS
1998 RECORDS Final Overall: 8-11-1 (.425) Mid-American Conference: 4-5-1 MAC Tournament: 1-1 LAST WEEK'S RESULTS Tues., Nov. 3: BGSU 1, at Eastern Michigan 0 (MAC Tournament Quarterfinal) Fri., Nov. 6: Northern Illinois 2, BGSU 1 (OT) (MAC Tournament Semifinal - Athens, Ohio) HEAD COACH - Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 14-23-1 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 97-82-9 ASSISTANT COACH - Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 14-23-1 (.382) (1997-present / two years) MAC: 5-11-1 (.324) (1997-present / two years) FINAL MAC STANDINGS Team (Overall) MAC Pts. Ohio (16-6-0) 9-1-0 27 Northern Ill. (14-7-0) 9-1-0 27 Eastern Mich. (13-7-1) 7-2-1 22 Kent (13-7-1) 5-4-1 16 Toledo (8-12-0) 5-5-0 15 Bowling Green (8-11-1) 4-5-1 13 Buffalo (10-6-2) 3-5-2 11 Western Mich. (6-10-2) 3-6-1 10 Miami (5-8-3) 2-6-2 8 Central Mich. (6-10-1) 2-7-1 7 Marshall (4-13-1) 1-8-1 4 (three points for a win, one for a tie) (teams listed in order of seeding for MAC Tournament) MAC TOURNEY RESULTS Tues., Nov. 3 - Quarterfinals: #1 Ohio 3, #8 Western Michigan 2 #2 Northern Illinois 2, #7 Buffalo 0 #6 BGSU 1, #3 Eastern Michigan 0 #4 Kent 2, #5 Toledo 1 Fri., Nov. 6 - Semifinals: Northern Illinois 2, BGSU 1 (OT) Ohio 1, Kent 0 Sun., Nov. 8 - Championship: Northern Illinois 2, Ohio 1 (3-OT) (quarterfinal matches held at site of higher-seeded team; semifinals and championship held at Ohio University) 1998 MAC PRESEASON POLL School (1st-Place Votes) Pts 1. Northern Illinois (11) 121 2. Ohio 99 3. Eastern Michigan 93 4. Toledo 83 5. Western Michigan 78 6. Buffalo 64 7. Miami 54 8. Central Michigan 40 9. Bowling Green 37 10. Marshall 32 11. Kent 26 BG OVERALL SCORING Player G-A=Pts Tracy Gleixner 12-5=29 Krista Shamblin 4-4=12 Beth Wechsler 3-6=12 Michelle Lisy 4-3=11 Cari Combs 2-6=10 Stephanie Heller 3-3= 9 Janice Mentrup 2-5= 9 BGSU MAC SCORING Player G-A=Pts Tracy Gleixner 6-4=16 Beth Wechsler 2-5= 9 Krista Shamblin 2-4= 8 Michelle Lisy 3-1= 7 Janice Mentrup 2-2= 6
(Nov. 5 Release)
MAC TOURNAMENT NOTES
#6 BGSU vs. #2 Northern Illinois - Nov. 6
Semifinal Match - Athens, Ohio - 11:00 a.m.
UP NEXT: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team, having won the first-ever postseason match in school history, heads to Athens, Ohio, for a Mid-American Conference Tournament Semifinal match. The Falcons (8-10-1 overall, 4-5-1 MAC), the sixth seed for the tourney, will take on second-seeded Northern Illinois in Friday's (Nov. 6) first semifinal. The match is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.
In the other semifinal contest, top-seeded Ohio will face fourth-seeded Kent. That match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.
The semifinal winners will advance to Sunday's (Nov. 8) championship match, which is scheduled for a noontime start.
Tickets for each day are $5 for adults and $3 for students/youth. One ticket is good for both matches on Friday.
TUESDAY'S QF RESULTS:
All matches were held at the site of the higher-seeded team:
#1 Ohio 3, #8 Western Michigan 2 #2 Northern Illinois 2, #7 Buffalo 0 #6 BGSU 1, #3 Eastern Michigan 0 #4 Kent 2, #5 Toledo 1
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo is in his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 14-22-1 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 97-81-9.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU is 8-10-1 on the season, and the Falcons concluded MAC play with a 4-5-1 league record. The Brown and Orange entered the MAC Tournament with a season-long, four-match losing streak, but snapped that slide with a 1-0 win at third-seeded Eastern Michigan in the quarterfinals. Freshman Cari Combs scored the lone goal of the match, while junior Michelle Lisy made a career-high 13 saves to earn the shutout.
Last week, the Falcons dropped two contests, falling at Detroit by a 6-4 count Tuesday (Oct. 27) before dropping a 2-1 overtime decision to visiting Miami three days later (Oct. 30). BGSU freshman Tracy Gleixner scored four of BGSU's five goals last week, including a hat trick at UDM.
The Falcons finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. That team posted a 1-6-0 MAC mark.
Northern Illinois brings a 12-7-0 record into Friday's match. The Huskies tied Ohio for the MAC regular-season title with a 9-1-0 record, but Ohio earned the right to host the tourney based on the Bobcats' 2-1 victory over NIU Sept. 27.
Northern posted a 2-0 win over Buffalo in the tournament's quarterfinal round to advance to Friday's semis.
Senior Anne Mucci leads the team with MAC-best totals of 13 goals and 36 points.
A year ago, the Huskies won the inaugural MAC regular-season and tournament titles. Sixth-year head coach Frank Horvat is 58-55-3 at the school.
THE SERIES: NIU holds a 2-0 lead over BGSU in the all-time series, with both previous matches having been played at BG's Cochrane Field.
The Huskies recorded a 6-0 victory over the Falcons in BG's first-ever MAC match (Sept. 14, 1997). NIU took a 4-0 halftime lead and coasted to the win.
A month ago (Oct. 9, 1998), the Brown and Orange fell behind, 2-0, as NIU scored a pair of goals four minutes apart in the first 16:20. Both goals came while BGSU had 10 players on the field. Freshman Tracy Gleixner had come off the field with an injury, and the Falcons played a player short so that Gleixner could re-enter the contest before halftime (a player, once substituted for in the first half, may not return to the match before halftime).
The Falcons rallied before the intermission, with Gleixner playing a key role in each BG goal.
The Brown and Orange cut the deficit in half when freshman Beth Wechsler converted a Gleixner cross at 27:42. Sophomore Janice Mentrup drew the second assist on the goal. Gleixner and Wechsler hooked up again just eight minutes later, with Gleixner getting her seventh goal of the year. Freshman Mandy Smith had the second assist on that tally.
The visiting Huskies, however, put two shots past freshman goalie Sarah Gawel in a span of 1:24 early in the second half. NIU held a 22-12 edge in shots, which included a 12-9 advantage in shots on goal. Gawel made eight saves in net, while Smith played the final 28 seconds as an "11th attacker."
TUESDAY'S ACTION: The Falcons posted the biggest win in school history, beating host Eastern Michigan University, 1-0, in the quarterfinal round of the MAC Tournament.
The contest was scoreless for almost 72 minutes, before sophomore Autumn Harris played a nifty through ball to Cari Combs, who was all alone and streaking down the left side of the field. The freshman went in one-on-one and neatly tucked a ball into the lower right corner past EMU 'keeper Erin Norton. The Falcons, despite facing a total of 23 shots, did not let the third-seeded Eagles find the back of the net. BGSU junior Michelle Lisy made 13 saves, including an acrobatic tip over the bar of an EMU shot with under two minutes remaining. For Lisy, who began the year as primarily a forward and the team's third-string goalie, the shutout was her second of the season.
Eastern outshot BGSU, 23-7, and the hosts had a 13-6 lead in shots on goal.
CHECK OUT THESE NUMBERS!: The 1998 Falcons have broken numerous records. The Brown and Orange won four MAC matches, which quadrupled the team's total of last year. BGSU had 13 points in MAC action, after totalling just three points a year ago.
BG has eight overall wins this fall, topping last year's total. The Falcons went 6-12-0 overall and 1-6-0 in the MAC last season.
The Falcons, after scoring 28 goals during all of last season, now have 41 goals in 1998.
GLEIXNER GETS GOALS: Freshman Tracy Gleixner is making a strong case for earning MAC Newcomer-of-the-Year honors. Gleixner has recorded a total of 12 goals this season, shattering the BGSU single-season record. The old record of six was set by Krista Shamblin last fall in the team's inaugural season. Gleixner had four of BG's five goals last week, including a hat trick against Detroit. The three goals tied the single-match record, set by Shamblin last year.
For her efforts in the UDM and MU matches, Gleixner was named the MAC's "Player of the Week."
On the year, she has five assists, and her 29 total points this year has obliterated the previous seasonal record. In fact, her 16 points in MAC matches only is more than the previous school record for points in an entire season (13 by Kerry McKee). Gleixner already ranks as BGSU's career scoring leader.
She set additional records at UDM for most goals in a half (three) and fastest two goals (17 seconds).
A month ago, Gleixner became the first player in school history to score a goal in four consecutive matches. The previous record was two matches.
FALCON NOTES: The Falcons broke a season-long, four-match losing streak with the win at EMU...Krista Shamblin, the team's lone senior, was suffering from the flu and did not make the trip to Eastern...after the Miami match, BGSU is now 1-2-1 all-time in overtime matches, including an 0-2-1 mark this year...freshman Leslie Hepfinger missed her first match of the year, sitting out the UDM contest due to injury...she saw action off the bench in both the Miami and EMU matches...in the UDM match, freshman Leah Rosner made her first collegiate start, while junior Mackenzie Williams made her first start of the year...a total of 20 players on the 25-woman roster have started at least one match this year...of the 23 BGSU field players, 20 have scored at least one point this season...the Falcons have committed more fouls than the opponent just twice in 19 matches...in MAC contests, BG was out-fouled, 128-69.
FALCON QUICK FACTS
1998 RECORDS
Overall: 8-10-1 (.447)
Mid-American Conference: 4-5-1
RECENT RESULTS
Tues., Oct. 27: at Detroit 6, BGSU 4
Fri., Oct. 30: Miami 2, at BGSU 1 (OT)
Tues., Nov. 3: BGSU 1, at Eastern Michigan 0
(MAC Tournament Quarterfinal)
HEAD COACH - Tom Piccirillo
Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986
Year at BGSU: Second
Record at BGSU: 14-22-1
Year as a head coach: 10th
Overall Career Record: 97-81-9
ASSISTANT COACH - Julie Reule
Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995
Year at BGSU: Second
BOWLING GREEN RECORDS
All-Time: 14-22-1 (.392) (1997-present / second year)
MAC: 5-11-1 (.324) (1997-present / two years)
MAC STANDINGS
Team (Overall) MAC Pts.
Ohio (15-5-0) 9-1-0 27
Northern Ill. (12-7-0) 9-1-0 27
Eastern Mich. (13-7-1) 7-2-1 22
Kent (13-6-1) 5-4-1 16
Toledo (8-12-0) 5-5-0 15
Bowling Green (8-10-1) 4-5-1 13
Buffalo (10-6-2) 3-5-2 11
Western Mich. (6-10-2) 3-6-1 10
Miami (5-8-3) 2-6-2 8
Central Mich. (6-10-1) 2-7-1 7
Marshall (4-13-1) 1-8-1 4
(three points for a win, one for a tie)
(teams listed in order of seeding)
1998 MAC PRESEASON POLL
School (1st-Place Votes) Pts AF*
1. Northern Illinois (11) 121 T-1st
2. Ohio 99 T-1st
3. Eastern Michigan 93 3rd
4. Toledo 83 5th
5. Western Michigan 78 8th
6. Buffalo 64 7th
7. Miami 54 9th
8. Central Michigan 40 10th
9. Bowling Green 37 6th
10. Marshall 32 11th
11. Kent 26 4th
* - actual finish
(Nov. 3 Release)
GLEIXNER NAMED MAC "PLAYER OF THE WEEK"
BGSU Freshman Forward Continues to Rewrite Record Book
BOWLING GREEN, OHIO - Bowling Green State University freshman Tracy Gleixner (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Schaumburg) has been named the Mid-American Conference "Player of the Week" for women's soccer. The award is the first of Gleixner's (pronounced: G(LIKES)-nurr) career, and only the second MAC "P-O-W" honor in BGSU women's soccer history.
Gleixner, a 5-3 forward, scored four of BGSU's five goals last week, bringing her seasonal total to 12. She had just the second hat trick in Falcon history in a 6-4 loss at Detroit (Oct. 27), then scored the lone BGSU goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to Miami (Oct. 30).
In the Detroit match, Gleixner scored all three of her goals in the first half, setting school records for goals and points in a half. She scored two of those goals just 17 seconds apart, yet another school record.
A top candidate for the MAC's "Newcomer-of-the-Year" award, Gleixner has scored 29 points this season, shattering the old school record of 13. Gleixner scored 16 points (six goals, four assists) in MAC matches alone this fall, and she already ranks as the school's career scoring leader.
The Falcons (7-10-1 overall, 4-5-1 MAC), seeded sixth for the MAC Tournament, head to third-seeded Eastern Michigan for this afternoon's tourney quarterfinal match. The winner of the BGSU-EMU match will play the winner of the Buffalo (seventh seed)-Northern Illinois (second seed) contest in Friday's semifinal round. The semifinals and championship (Sunday) will be held at the site of the highest-remaining seed of the four quarterfinal winners.
(Nov. 2 Release)
UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
BGSU at Eastern Michigan - Nov. 3 - 2:00 pm
MAC Tourney Quarterfinal Match
THIS WEEK: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team, having closed the books on the regular season, will enter postseason play for the first time in school history. The Falcons (7-10-1 overall, 4-5-1 MAC), after finishing in sixth place in the Mid-American Conference standings, will head to third-seeded Eastern Michigan for a MAC Tournament Quarterfinal match Tuesday (Nov. 3). Start time for the match is 2:00 p.m. at EMU's Varsity Field.
The winner of the BGSU-EMU contest will join the other three quarterfinal winners for Friday's (Nov. 6) semifinal matches. The semifinals will be held at the site of the highest-remaining seed among the four survivors. The winner of the BGSU-EMU contest will face the victor of the Buffalo-Northern Illinois quarterfinal match.
The MAC Tournament Championship match will be held Sunday (Nov. 8) at the semifinal site. The Mid-American Conference, in just its second year of sponsoring women's soccer, does not receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
A complete list of Tuesday's quarterfinal matches:
* - #8 Western Michigan at #1 Ohio
* - #7 Buffalo at #2 Northern Illinois
* - #6 BGSU at #3 Eastern Michigan
* - #5 Toledo at #4 Kent
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo is in his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 13-22-1 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 96-81-9.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU is 7-10-1 on the season, and the Falcons concluded MAC play with a 4-5-1 league record. The Brown and Orange enters the MAC Tournament looking to snap a season-long, four-match losing streak. Last week, the Falcons dropped two contests, falling at Detroit by a 6-4 count Tuesday (Oct. 27) before dropping a 2-1 overtime decision to visiting Miami three days later (Oct. 30). BGSU freshman Tracy Gleixner scored four of BGSU's five goals last week, including a hat trick at UDM.
The Falcons finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. That team posted a 1-6-0 MAC mark.
Eastern Michigan brings a 13-6-1 record into Tuesday's match. The Eagles finished third in the MAC with a 7-2-1 league record. EMU had just one match last week, a 3-2 overtime win over visiting Toledo Tuesday (Oct. 27). The Eagles have won two-straight matches, but have gone just 3-3-1 since starting the season at 10-3-0. EMU has played a whopping 13 home matches, going 10-3-0 in those contests.
THE SERIES: EMU holds a 2-0 lead over BGSU in the all-time series. As is the case with Tuesday's match, both of the previous matches were held in Ypsilanti.
The Eagles posted a 1-0 decision in the teams' first meeting (Sept. 28, 1997). Rachel Schmidt scored the only goal of the match, at the 50:30 mark.
In this season's previous meeting (Sept. 20, 1998), Schmidt again played a key role, scoring twice in EMU's 5-2 win. The Eagles scored three times in the last 10 minutes of the first half. Junior Michelle Lisy and senior Krista Shamblin each found the net to cut the Eagle lead to one with 26 minutes remaining, but the hosts scored in the 72nd minute, and again in the 86th minute to ice the contest.
Freshman Cari Combs assisted on both BG goals, while classmate Tracy Gleixner had an assist on Lisy's tally. A pair of frosh, Sarah Gawel and Sarah Marchant, split time in net, combining for six saves.
In the two matches, EMU amassed 49 shots to BG's 18, and the Eagles held advantages of 21-11 in shots on goal, 21-3 in corner kicks and 35-20 in fouls.
LAST WEEK: The Falcons travelled to Detroit, Mich., last Tuesday (Oct. 27), and suffered a wild, 6-4 loss at the hands of the Titans.
Each team found the back of the net three times in the first half. Freshman Tracy Gleixner opened the scoring at the 13:29 mark, with classmates Michelle Hoyng and Beth Wechsler drawing assists. UDM's Gwen Kilfoy scored a pair of goals just 31 seconds apart, but Gleixner responded by scoring her second and third goals in a span of just 17 seconds, a new school record.
Gleixner's second goal came at 24:19, with assists from sophomores Janice Mentrup and Ashley Enser. On the ensuing kickoff, Gleixner stole the ball from a UDM player, eluded numerous defenders and scored her third goal of the match. Her hat trick was just the second in school history, and the three goals in a half set a BGSU record.
The Titans scored off a corner kick just three seconds before halftime, but sophomore Autumn Harris gave the Falcons a 4-3 lead at the 48:14 mark. Junior Michelle Lisy, playing at a forward spot after spending the first half in goal, drew an assist, as did Hoyng.
The hosts scored three times, however, to post the win. Kilfoy had four of the Titan goals. Lisy and freshman Sarah Gawel combined for three saves in net for the Falcons.
On Friday (Oct. 30), visiting Miami scored with just 54 seconds gone, and the score remained the same until the second half. Gleixner scored her fourth goal of the week at the 54:35 mark, with freshman Cari Combs and Wechsler drawing the assists.
The Falcons held a 24-4 margin in shots, including a 12-3 edge in shots on goal, but a RedHawk goal with just over seven minutes gone in overtime gave the visitors the win. Lisy went the whole way in net for the hosts.
CHECK OUT THESE NUMBERS!: The Falcons have broken, or are nearing, numerous records. The Brown and Orange won four MAC matches, which quadrupled the team's total of last year. BGSU had 13 points (three points for a win, one for a tie) in MAC action, after totalling just three points a year ago.
BG has seven overall wins this fall, topping last year's total. The Falcons went 6-12-0 overall and 1-6-0 in the MAC last season.
The Falcons, after scoring 28 goals during all of last season, now have 40 goals in 1998.
GLEIXNER GETS GOALS: Freshman Tracy Gleixner is making a strong case for earning MAC Newcomer-of-the-Year honors. Gleixner has recorded a total of 12 goals this season, shattering the BGSU single-season record. The old record of six was set by Krista Shamblin last fall in the team's inaugural season. Gleixner had four of BG's five goals last week, including a hat trick against Detroit. The three goals tied the single-match record, set by Shamblin last year.
On the year, she has five assists, and her 29 total points this year has obliterated the previous seasonal record. In fact, her 16 points in MAC matches only is more than the previous school record for points in an entire season (13 by Kerry McKee). Gleixner already ranks as BGSU's career scoring leader.
She set additional records at UDM for most goals in a half (three) and fastest two goals (17 seconds).
Earlier this month, Gleixner became the first player in school history to score a goal in four consecutive matches. The previous record was two matches.
BG SCORING LEADERS - OVERALL:
Player G-A=Pts Tracy Gleixner 12-5=29 Krista Shamblin 4-4=12 Beth Wechsler 3-6=12 Michelle Lisy 4-3=11 Stephanie Heller 3-3= 9 Janice Mentrup 2-5= 9 Cari Combs 1-6= 8
BG SCORING LEADERS - MAC:
Player G-A=Pts Tracy Gleixner 6-4=16 Beth Wechsler 2-5= 9 Krista Shamblin 2-4= 8 Michelle Lisy 3-1= 7 Janice Mentrup 2-2= 6
FALCON NOTES: The Falcons are looking to break a season-long, four-match losing streak...after the Miami match, BGSU is now 1-2-1 all-time in overtime matches, including an 0-2-1 mark this year...freshman Leslie Hepfinger missed her first match of the year, sitting out the UDM contest due to injury...in that match, freshman Leah Rosner made her first collegiate start, while junior Mackenzie Williams made her first start of the year...a total of 20 players on the 25-woman roster have started at least one match this year...of the 23 BGSU field players, 20 have scored at least one point this season...the Falcons have committed more fouls than the opponent just twice in 18 matches...in MAC contests, BG was out-fouled, 128-69.
FALCON QUICK FACTS
1998 RECORDS Overall: 7-10-1 (.417) Mid-American Conference: 4-5-1 LAST WEEK'S RESULTS Tues., Oct. 27: at Detroit 6, BGSU 4 Fri., Oct. 30: Miami 2, at BGSU 1 (OT) HEAD COACH - Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 13-22-1 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 96-81-9 ASSISTANT COACH - Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 13-22-1 (.375) (1997-present / second year) MAC: 5-11-1 (.324) (1997-present / second year) MAC STANDINGS Team (Overall) MAC Pts. Ohio (14-5-0) 9-1-0 27 Northern Ill. (11-7-0) 9-1-0 27 Eastern Mich. (13-6-1) 7-2-1 22 Kent (12-6-1) 5-4-1 16 Toledo (8-11-0) 5-5-0 15 Bowling Green (7-10-1) 4-5-1 13 Buffalo (10-5-2) 3-5-2 11 Western Mich. (6-9-2) 3-6-1 10 Miami (5-8-3) 2-6-2 8 Central Mich. (6-10-1) 2-7-1 7 Marshall (4-13-1) 1-8-1 4 (three points for a win, one for a tie) (teams listed in order of seeding)
(Oct. 26 Release)
UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
BGSU at Detroit - Oct. 27 - 3:30 pm
Miami at BGSU - Oct. 30 - 1:00 p.m.
BGSU in MAC Tourney QF - Nov. 3 - TBA
THIS WEEK: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team will prepare for the Mid-American Conference Tournament with two matches to close the regular season this week. The Falcons (7-8-1, 4-4-1) will end a five-match road trip Tuesday (Oct. 27), travelling to Detroit for a non-conference contest. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at UDM's Titan Field.
Following the UDM contest, the Brown and Orange will complete the regular season with a home match against MAC foe Miami Friday (Oct. 30). The match, which has a number of playoff ramifications, will be the first half of a soccer doubleheader at BGSU's Cochrane Field. The Falcons and RedHawks will kick things off at 1:00 p.m., with the BGSU men's soccer match vs. Marshall to follow.
MAC Tournament Quarterfinal matches will be played Nov. 3, at the sites of the top-four seeds.
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo is in his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 13-20-1 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 96-79-9.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU is 7-8-1 on the season, and the Falcons are 4-4-1 in MAC play. The Brown and Orange had just one match last week, a 5-1 road loss against Michigan State Wednesday (Oct. 21). BGSU has clinched a spot in the MAC Tournament. More tournament information can be found later in this release.
The Falcons finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. That team posted a 1-6-0 MAC mark.
Detroit brings a 4-12-0 record into Tuesday's BG match. The Titans have posted a 2-2 record in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference. Last week, UDM downed Central Michigan, 2-1, in a double-overtime contest Wednesday (Oct. 21) before losing at Ohio State Sunday (Oct. 25) by a 4-0 margin. Head coach Mike Lupenec, in his sixth year, has a record of 64-45-4.
Miami enters the week with a 3-8-3 overall mark, and the RedHawks are 1-6-2 in MAC play. MU hosts Morehead State in a non-conference match Wednesday (Oct. 28) before heading to BG for Friday's contest. Last week, the RedHawks lost to Northern Kentucky, 5-4, before battling to a 1-1 overtime tie at Loyola (Ill.). Head coach Bobby Kramig has a 10-21-3 record in his second year. Kramig is also the menšs coach, and he is in his 16th season with that team.
THE SERIES: BGSU and Detroit will meet for the first time in women's soccer.
The Falcons will look to avenge a 1997 loss to Miami. Last Oct. 11, the RedHawks posted a 3-2 win in Oxford. In that contest, Krista Shamblin scored one of the Falcon goals, with Stephanie Heller earning an assist. Michelle Lisy had an assist on the other BG goal in the match.
LAST WEEK: The Falcons travelled to East Lansing, Mich., last Wednesday (Oct. 21), and suffered a 5-1 loss to Michigan State.
The match was scoreless for the first 68:54, until sophomore Stephanie Heller recorded an unassisted marker. Over the next 21 minutes, however, the hosts would score five times.
MSU's Jessica Moorman tied the contest at the 71:02 mark. That goal was the first of a natural hat trick scored by Moorman, coming in a span of 10:13.
The Spartans scored twice in the last three minutes as the Falcons pressed forward on offense. The last MSU goal came with just 30 seconds left. Junior Michelle Lisy made nine saves in goal.
Three Falcons left the match with injuries - freshmen Leslie Hepfinger and Cari Combs and sophomore Ashley Enser.
MAC TOURNAMENT PICTURE: The Falcons have clinched a berth in the MAC Tournament, and BG still has a shot at a top-four finish and a home match in the quarterfinal round (Nov. 3). BGSU, picked to finish ninth in the MAC's preseason poll, currently sits in sixth place in the league with 13 points (three points for a win, one for a tie). The Falcons can finish no lower than sixth place. The top eight finishers qualify for the tourney.
To finish in a tie for fourth place, the Falcons need to defeat Miami Friday (Oct. 30) in the final MAC contest and have Toledo and Eastern Michigan play to a tie Tuesday (Oct. 27). That scenario would give all three teams 16 points, and the Falcons would win the tiebreaker by virtue of a better head-to-head record (BGSU 1-0-1, Toledo 1-1-0, Kent 0-1-1).
A UT win over Eastern would give the Rockets the fourth seed, while an EMU win would give Kent the final home berth in the league quarterfinals. If the Falcons and Golden Flashes were to finish in a two-team tie, Kent wins the tiebreaker by virtue of a KSU victory over EMU.
Regardless of the outcomes of this week's matches, the Falcons will face EMU, Kent or Toledo in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals. After the four first-round matches, the four survivors will head to the home of the highest-remaining seed for the semifinals (Nov. 6) and championship (Nov. 8).
CHECK OUT THESE NUMBERS!: The Falcons have broken, or are nearing, numerous records. The Brown and Orange have won four MAC matches, which quadruples the team's total of last year. BGSU has 13 points (three points for a win, one for a tie) in MAC action, after totalling just three points a year ago.
BG has seven overall wins this fall, topping last year's total. The Falcons went 6-12-0 overall and 1-6-0 in the MAC last season.
The Falcons, after scoring 28 goals during all of last season, now have 35 goals in 1998.
GLEIXNER GETS GOALS: Freshman Tracy Gleixner came to BG as a finisher, having set the school records for both goals and assists at Schaumburg (Ill.) High School. So far, she has shown the same prowess as a collegian. Gleixner has recorded a total of eight goals this season, setting a BGSU single-season record. The old record of six was set by Krista Shamblin last fall in the team's inaugural season.
Gleixner also has five assists on the season, tied for the team lead, and her 21 total points is the highest seasonal mark in school annals. Kerry McKee had 13 points last fall.
Earlier this month, Gleixner became the first player in school history to score a goal in four consecutive matches. The previous record was two matches.
BG SCORING LEADERS Â OVERALL:
Player G-A=Pts Tracy Gleixner 8-5=21 Krista Shamblin 4-4=12 Michelle Lisy 4-2=10 Beth Wechsler 3-4=10 Stephanie Heller 3-3= 9 Janice Mentrup 2-4= 8 Cari Combs 1-5= 7
BG SCORING LEADERS Â MAC:
Player G-A=Pts Tracy Gleixner 5-4=14 Krista Shamblin 2-4= 8 Beth Wechsler 2-4= 8 Michelle Lisy 3-1= 7 Janice Mentrup 2-2= 6
LISY = VERSATILE: Junior Michelle Lisy has proven to be one of the Falcons' most versatile players over the team's first two years. In 1997, she began the season as the third-string goalkeeper, but worked her way into the starting lineup at a forward spot. She ended the year with eight points, good for seventh on the team.
This year, Lisy started the first 13 matches on the front line. She totalled 10 points, which ties her for third on the team. Her total of four goals tied her for second. Lisy has started the last three matches in goal, however. In her initial start, at Marshall, however, Lisy responded with the first complete-match shutout in school history. Despite giving up five goals at MSU, Lisy maintains a team-best 1.99 goals-against average.
FALCON NOTES: Of the 23 BGSU field players, a total of 20 have scored at least one point this season...the Falcons have committed more fouls than the opponent just twice in 16 matches...in MAC contests, BG has been out-fouled, 117-65...senior Krista Shamblin is BGSU's career leader in both goals (10) and points (24)...sophomore Janice Mentrup is the BGSU leader with 10 career assists.
FALCON QUICK FACTS
1998 RECORDS Overall: 7-8-1 (.469) Mid-American Conference: 4-4-1 LAST WEEK'S RESULTS Wed., Oct. 21: at Michigan State 5, BGSU 1 HEAD COACH - Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 13-20-1 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 96-79-9 ASSISTANT COACH - Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 13-20-1 (.397) (1997-present / second year) MAC: 5-10-1 (.344) (1997-present / second year) MAC STANDINGS Team (Overall) MAC Pts. Northern Ill. (11-5-0) 9-1-0 27 Ohio (13-5-0) 8-1-0 24 Eastern Mich. (12-6-1) 6-2-1 19 Kent (11-5-1) 5-4-1 16 Toledo (7-10-0) 5-4-0 15 Bowling Green (7-8-1) 4-4-1 13 Buffalo (9-5-2) 3-5-2 11 Central Mich. (6-9-1) 2-6-1 7 Western Mich. (5-8-2) 2-6-1 7 Miami (3-8-3) 1-6-2 5 Marshall (3-12-1) 1-7-1 4 (three points for a win, one for a tie)
(Oct. 19 Release)
UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
BGSU at Michigan State - Oct. 21 - 3 pm
THIS WEEK: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team, having clinched a berth in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, steps outside of league play for the next two matches. The Falcons (7-7-1, 4-4-1) will travel to Michigan State for a Wednesday (Oct. 21) match with the Spartans. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. at MSU's Old College Field.
Following the MSU contest, the Brown and Orange will complete a five-match road trip next Tuesday (Oct. 27) with a contest at Detroit. The Falcons close the regular season with a home MAC match vs. Miami on Friday, Oct. 30. MAC Tournament Quarterfinal matches will be played Nov. 3, at the sites of the top-four seeds.
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo is in his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 13-19-1 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 96-78-9.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU is 7-7-1 on the season, and the Falcons are 4-4-1 in MAC play. After a 7-1 loss at Oakland Monday (Oct. 12), the Brown and Orange rebounded for a 2-0 win over MAC foe Marshall Friday (Oct. 16). BGSU then dropped a 2-0 decision to Ohio Sunday (Oct. 18). All three matches were played on the road.
The Falcons finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. That team posted a 1-6-0 MAC mark.
Michigan State brings a 2-11-2 record into Wednesday's BG match. The Spartans are 0-8-1 in Big Ten play. Last weekend, the Green and White suffered a 4-0 home loss to arch-rival Michigan (Oct. 16) before dropping a 4-3 decision at Oakland (Oct. 18). MSU is winless in its last 12 matches after starting the season with a 2-1 record. One of those wins was a 5-2 triumph at Eastern Michigan. Tom Saxton has a 70-71-10 record in his eighth year.
THE SERIES: BGSU will look to avenge a 1997 loss to Michigan State. Last Oct. 29, the Spartans posted a 2-1 win at Cochrane Field. Janice Mentrup scored the BG goal, with Michelle Lisy drawing one of the assists.
LAST WEEK: The Falcons travelled to Rochester, Mich., last Monday (Oct. 12), and suffered a 7-1 loss to Oakland University. BGSU rebounded from that loss to post a 2-0 win in MAC play at Marshall Friday (Oct. 16). Ohio downed the Falcons by that same 2-0 score in Athens two days later (Oct. 18).
Last Monday, Oakland scored the first seven goals of the match, becoming the first-ever team to score that many goals in a match against the Brown and Orange.
The Falcons averted a shutout with just 2:22 remaining in the match. Freshman Leah Rosner scored her first collegiate goal, with assists from sophomore Jamie Eshleman (her first point of the season) and junior Mackenzie Williams.
Freshmen Sarah Gawel and Sarah Marchant each made three saves in net for BG. Gawel played 67 minutes and surrendered the first six goals. Four of the Oakland goals were scored by Ashley McGhee. Falcon freshman starters Tracy Gleixner and Cari Combs did not make the trip due to injuries. All 22 players who did make the trip to OU saw action in the match.
Both Gleixner and Combs returned to lineup for the Marshall match, and Gleixner started the scoring with her school-record eighth goal of the year. Freshman Beth Wechsler drew the lone assist on that goal, which came at the 13:02 mark.
Sophomore Janice Mentrup scored the only other goal of the match, at 61:17. Junior Michelle Lisy, making just her second career start in goal, made the BG goals hold up. Lisy earned the first complete-match shutout in Falcon history. She was called upon to make just two saves as BG outshot the Thundering Herd, 12-4.
A pair of second-half goals propelled host Ohio to a 2-0 win over the Falcons. OU held a 15-12 edge in shots, including an 8-5 edge in shots on goal. Lisy and Gawel combined for six saves. Lisy played the first 81 minutes in net.
THE BAD NEWS: Oakland's seven goals Monday (Oct. 12) marked the most ever scored against the Falcons in a single match. OU's Ashley McGhee became the first player to score four goals against BG, scoring four consecutive times in a span of 20:22.
THE GOOD NEWS: The Falcons' 2-0 win at Marshall Friday (Oct. 16) clinched a berth in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The quarterfinals are scheudled for Nov. 3, with the top-four seeds hosting. The semifinals and championship will be held Nov. 6-8 at the site of the top remaining seed after the quarterfinals.
MAC TOURNAMENT PICTURE: The Falcons have clinched a berth in the MAC Tournament, and BG still has a shot at a top-four finish and a home match in the quarterfinal round (Nov. 3). BGSU has 13 points (three for a win, one for a tie), and the Falcons can finish no lower than seventh place. The top eight finishers qualify for the tourney.
To finish in fourth place, the Falcons need to win the final MAC contest (Miami, Oct. 30) and have Kent earn no more than two points in its final two matches. Kent hosts Toledo Wednesday (Oct. 21) and heads to Buffalo (Oct. 27). A Kent win over UT would give the Flashes the fourth seed, as KSU holds the tiebreaker over BGSU. The Falcons hold the tiebreaker over both UT and Buffalo.
GLEIXNER GETS GOALS: Freshman Tracy Gleixner came to BG as a finisher, having set the school records for both goals and assists at Schaumburg (Ill.) High School. So far, she has shown the same prowess as a collegian. Gleixner missed the Oakland match due to an injury suffered vs. Northern Illinois. She returned to the lineup at Marshall, and scored the first goal of the match, bringing her seasonal total to eight. That sets the BGSU single-season record. The old record of six was set by Krista Shamblin last fall in the team's inaugural season.
Gleixner also has four assists on the season, tied for third on the team, and her 20 total points is the highest seasonal mark in school annals. Kerry McKee had 13 points last fall.
Additionally, with Friday's goal vs. the Herd, Gleixner became the first player in school history to score a goal in four consecutive matches. The previous record was two matches.
FALCON SCORING LEADERS:
Player G-A=Pts Tracy Gleixner 8-4=20 Krista Shamblin 4-3=11 Michelle Lisy 4-2=10 Beth Wechsler 3-4=10 Janice Mentrup 2-4= 8 Cari Combs 1-5= 7 Stephanie Heller 2-3= 7 Desiree Erb 2-1= 5 Autumn Harris 2-0= 4 Michelle Hoyng 0-4= 4 Erin Incorvaia 2-0= 4 Leah Rosner 1-2= 4 Annmarie Aparo 1-0= 2 Four with 0-1= 1
CHECK OUT THESE NUMBERS!: The Falcons have broken numerous records this season. The Brown and Orange have won four MAC matches, which quadruples the team's total of last year. BGSU has 13 points (three points for a win, one for a tie) in MAC action, after totalling just three points a year ago.
BG's win at Marshall was the team's seventh this fall, topping last year's overall total. The Falcons went 6-12-0 overall and 1-6-0 in the MAC last season.
The Falcons, after scoring 28 goals during all of last season, now have 34 goals in 1998.
LISY = VERSATILE: Junior Michelle Lisy has proven to be one of the Falcons' most versatile players. Usually a forward, Lisy is tied for third on the team with 10 points. At Marshall, however, Lisy drew the start in goal, and responded with the first complete-match shutout in school history.
FALCON NOTES: Itšs no surprise that the Falcons' leading scorer in MAC matches is the same player that leads the team overall...freshman Tracy Gleixner has 13 points in the eight MAC contests, on five goals and three assists...freshman Beth Wechsler has eight points in MAC contests, while senior Krista Shamblin and junior Michelle Lisy have seven points...sophomore Jamie Eshleman started all three matches last week, her first starts of the season...of the 23 BGSU field players, a total of 20 have scored at least one point this season...the Falcons have committed more fouls than the opponent just twice in 15 matches...in MAC contests, BG has been out-fouled, 117-65.
QUICK FACTS:
1998 RECORDS Overall: 7-7-1 (.500) Mid-American Conference: 4-4-1 LAST WEEK'S RESULTS Mon., Oct. 12: at Oakland 7, BGSU 1 Fri., Oct. 16: BGSU 2, at Marshall 0 Sun., Oct. 18: at Ohio 2, BGSU 0 HEAD COACH - Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 13-19-1 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 96-78-9 ASSISTANT COACH - Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 13-19-1 (.409) (1997-present / second year) MAC: 5-10-1 (.344) (1997-present / second year) MAC STANDINGS Team (Overall) MAC Pts. Northern Ill. (10-4-0) 9-1-0 27 Ohio (12-4-0) 8-1-0 24 Eastern Mich. (11-6-1) 6-2-1 19 Kent (9-4-1) 4-3-1 13 Bowling Green (7-7-1) 4-4-1 13 Toledo (6-10-0) 4-4-0 12 Buffalo (9-4-2) 3-4-2 11 Central Mich. (5-8-1) 2-6-1 7 Western Mich. (4-8-2) 2-6-1 7 Miami (3-6-2) 1-5-2 5 Marshall (2-11-1) 0-7-1 1 (three points for a win, one for a tie) 1998 MAC PRESEASON POLL School (1st-Place Votes) Pts 1. Northern Illinois (11) 121 2. Ohio 99 3. Eastern Michigan 93 4. Toledo 83 5. Western Michigan 78 6. Buffalo 64 7. Miami 54 8. Central Michigan 40 9. Bowling Green 37 10. Marshall 32 11. Kent 26 UPCOMING SCHEDULE October 21 at Michigan State 3 pm 27 at Detroit 3 pm 30 MIAMI 1 pm November 3 MAC Tournament QF (site and time TBA)
(Oct. 12 Release)
UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
BGSU at Oakland - Oct. 12 - 3 pm
BGSU at Marshall - Oct. 16 - 5 pm
BGSU at Ohio - Oct. 18 - 1 pm
THIS WEEK: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team, having completed a five-match homestand, will begin a five-match road trip by playing three contests this week. The Falcons (6-5-1, 3-3-1) will take a break from Mid-American Conference action with a non-league match at Oakland Monday (Oct. 12). The Falcons and Golden Grizzlies will meet in a 3:00 p.m. contest in Rochester, Mich.
Following the OU contest, the Brown and Orange will resume MAC play with a Friday (Oct. 16) match at Marshall. The Falcons and Thundering Herd will meet in a 5:00 p.m. tilt in Huntington, W.Va. BGSU then heads to Athens, Ohio, for a Sunday match (Oct. 18) vs. Ohio University. That contest is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo is in his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 12-17-1 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 95-76-9.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU is 6-5-1 on the season after dropping the team's only match last week. The Falcons fell to Northern Illinois, the defending MAC champions, by a 4-2 count at Cochrane Field Friday (Oct. 9).
The Falcons finished 1997, the teamšs inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. The team posted a 1-6-0 MAC mark.
Oakland brings a 7-3-0 record into the BG match. The Golden Grizzlies, a first-year Division I program, are competing as an independent this year. The Mid-Continent Conference, of which OU is a member, will sponsor women's soccer beginning next year. Oakland is 3-0 against MAC schools this year, having beaten Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Toledo. The Grizzlies have won 14-straight home matches, dating to 1996. Nick O'Shea has a 56-18-3 record in his fifth year.
Marshall is 2-10-1 on the season, and the Thundering Herd is 0-6-1 in MAC play heading into Friday's BGSU match. Last weekend, MU, a first-year program, played a pair of home overtime contests, losing to Central Michigan, 2-1, before playing Western Michigan to a scoreless tie. Teresa Patterson is in her first year as a head coach.
Ohio is 10-4-0 overall, and the Bobcats are 6-1-0 in the MAC heading into the week. OU hosts Miami Friday before meeting the Falcons Sunday. Last week, the Bobcats defeated WMU, 1-0, before besting CMU, 4-2. Wendy Logan is 20-10-2 in her second year at the OU helm.
THE SERIES: BGSU will meet both Oakland and Marshall for the first time in women's soccer.
Ohio used four second-half goals to capture a 4-0 win in a driving rain in last year's meeting, the only previous match between the schools, at Cochrane Field.
LAST WEEK: The Falcons played just one match last week, dropping a 4-2 decision to defending MAC champion Northern Illinois Friday (Oct. 9).
The Brown and Orange fell behind, 2-0, as NIU scored a pair of goals four minutes apart in the first 16:20. The goals came while BGSU had 10 players on the field. Freshman Tracy Gleixner came off the field with an injury, and the Falcons played a player short so that Gleixner could re-enter the contest before halftime (a player, once substituted for in the first half, may not return to the match before halftime). The Falcons rallied before the intermission, with Gleixner playing a key role in each BG goal.
The Brown and Orange cut the deficit in half when freshman Beth Wechsler converted a Gleixner cross at 27:42. Sophomore Janice Mentrup drew the second assist on the goal. Gleixner and Wechsler hooked up again just eight minutes later, with Gleixner getting her school-record seventh goal of the year. Freshman Mandy Smith had the second assist on that tally.
The visiting Huskies, however, put two shots past freshman Sarah Gawel in a span of 1:24 early in the second half. NIU held a 22-12 edge in shots which included a 12-9 advantage in shots on goal. Gawel made eight saves in net for BG, while Smith played the final 28 seconds as an "11th attacker." The match was a stark contrast to last year's 6-0 NIU win in BGšs first-ever MAC contest.
GLEIXNER GETS GOALS: Freshman Tracy Gleixner came to BG as a finisher, having set the school records for both goals and assists at Schaumburg (Ill.) High School. So far, she has shown the same prowess as a collegian. Gleixner scored a goal in the NIU match, bringing her seasonal total to seven. That sets the BGSU single-season record. The old record of six was set by Krista Shamblin last fall in the team's inaugural season.
Gleixner also has four assists on the season, tied for third on the team, and her 18 total points is the highest seasonal mark in school annals. Kerry McKee had 13 points last fall.
Additionally, with Friday's goal vs. the Huskies, Gleixner became the first player in school history to score a goal in three consecutive matches.
CHECK OUT THESE NUMBERS!: The Falcons have broken, or are nearing, numerous records. The Brown and Orange have won three MAC matches, which triples the team's total of last year. BGSU has 10 points (three points for a win, one for a tie) in MAC action, after totalling just three points a year ago.
BG's six total wins this fall matches last year's overall total. The Falcons went 6-12-0 overall and 1-6-0 in the MAC last season.
The Falcons, after scoring 28 goals during all of last season, now have 31 goals in 1998.
PUTTING IN HER TIME: Sophomore Janice Mentrup, the only Falcon to have played every minute of every match, was shaken up in the second half of the NIU match, and made her first trip to the bench. She missed less than two minutes of action before returning.
After a slow start scoring-wise (two assists in the first 10 matches, Mentrup has a goal and two assists over the last two contests. She figured in the scoring on three consecutive goals over the Western Michigan and Northern Illinois matches.
Last season, Mentrup was one of just three Falcons to start all 18 matches.
FALCON NOTES: It's no surprise that the Falcons' leading scorer in MAC matches is the same player that leads the team overall...freshman Tracy Gleixner has 11 points in the seven MAC contests, on four goals and three assists...senior Krista Shamblin, junior Michelle Lisy and freshman Beth Wechsler all have seven points in MAC contests...freshman Cari Combs missed the NIU match due to injury...another freshman, Meredith Davis, made her first career start in that match...the Falcons have averaged over two goals per match in MAC play, with 15 goals in the seven league contests...at the other end of the field, however, BG has surrendered 19 goals to league foes...the Falcons have committed more fouls than the opponent just twice in 12 matches...in MAC contests, BG has been out-fouled, 103-56.
FALCON QUICK FACTS
1998 RECORDS Overall: 6-5-1 (.542) Mid-American Conference: 3-3-1 LAST WEEK'S RESULTS Fri., Oct. 1: Northern Illinois 4, at BGSU 2 HEAD COACH - Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 12-17-1 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 95-76-9 ASSISTANT COACH - Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 12-17-1 (.417) (1997-present / second year) MAC: 4-9-1 (.321) (1997-present / second year) MAC STANDINGS Team (Overall) MAC Pts. Northern Ill. (8-4) 7-1-0 21 Eastern Mich. (10-4-1) 6-1-1 19 Ohio (10-4) 6-1-0 18 Toledo (6-8) 4-3-0 12 Kent (8-3-1) 3-2-1 10 Bowling Green (6-5-1) 3-3-1 10 Buffalo (8-3-2) 2-3-2 8 Miami (3-5-2) 1-4-2 5 Western Mich. (3-7-2) 1-5-1 4 Central Mich. (4-7-1) 1-5-1 4 Marshall (2-10-1) 0-6-1 1 (three points for a win, one for a tie)
(Oct. 5 Release)
UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
Northern Illinois at BGSU - Oct. 9 - 3 pm
BGSU at Oakland - Oct. 12 - 3 pm
THIS WEEK: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team, after splitting a pair of Mid-American Conference matches last week, will complete a season-long, five-match homestand with a contests against the defending champions this week. The Falcons (6-4-1 overall, 3-2-1 MAC) host Northern Illinois in a Friday (Oct. 9) tilt, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at BGSU's Cochrane Field (1,000).
Following the NIU contest, the Brown and Orange will begin a season-long, five-match road swing with a 3:00 p.m. non-conference contest at Oakland University next Monday (Oct. 12).
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo is in his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 12-16-1 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 95-75-9.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU is 6-4-1 on the season after splitting two matches last week. The Falcons posted a 4-3 victory over Central Michigan Thursday (Oct. 1) before dropping a 4-2 decision to Western Michigan Sunday (Oct. 4).
The Falcons finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. The team posted a 1-6-0 MAC mark.
Northern Illinois is 6-4-0 on the season, and the Huskies are 5-1-0 in MAC action. NIU recorded home shutout wins over both Buffalo (2-0) and Kent (5-0) last weekend. A year ago, Northern won both the MAC regular-season and tournament crowns. Head coach Frank Horvat, in his sixth year, has a 52-52-3 record.
Oakland brings a 6-3-0 record into the week. The Golden Grizzlies, a first-year Division I program, are competing as an independent this year. The Mid-Continent Conference, of which OU is a member, will sponsor women's soccer beginning next year. Nick O'Shea has a 55-18-3 record in his fifth year.
THE SERIES: Northern Illinois captured the only previous meeting in the series with BGSU. The Huskies recorded a 6-0 win at Cochrane Field last Sept. 14, in the Falcons' first-ever conference match.
BGSU will meet Oakland for the first time in women's soccer.
LAST WEEK: The Falcons went 1-1, posting a 4-3 win over Central Michigan Thursday (Oct. 1) before losing to Western Michigan, 4-2, three days later (Oct. 4).
The Brown and Orange got on the board early vs. CMU, as junior Michelle Lisy converted a cross from freshman Michelle Hoyng at the 2:58 mark. The goal was the quickest in school history. In addition to Hoyng, freshman Tracy Gleixner assisted on the goal. The teams exploded for three goals apiece in the second stanza. After the Chippewas tied the match early in the second, sophomore Ashley Enser converted a penalty kick at the 56:34 mark. The PK came after freshman Cari Combs was dragged down in the box. CMU quickly tied the match, but Lisy struck for her second goal of the match at 63:30, ramming home a corner kick by freshman Beth Wechsler. Gleixner scored an unassisted goal, stealing a ball deep in the CMU end and one-timing a shot past the 'keeper. Central scored with just 25 seconds left. Freshman Sarah Marchant earned the win in her first complete-match effort, making three saves.
On Sunday, Gleixner got the Falcons on the board first, scoring her team-leading sixth goal of the season at 21:41. Sophomore Janice Mentrup drew the lone assist. WMU, however, scored a pair of goals just 39 seconds apart to take a 2-1 lead less than four minutes after Gleixner's goal. The Broncos scored again early in the second half, but Mentrup tallied her first goal of the year, heading in a ball after a Falcon corner kick. Wechsler and senior Krista Shamblin drew assists on the goal, which came at the 65:04 mark. The Broncos benefited from an own goal, however, at 78:42 to complete the scoring. The Falcons lost despite holding a 22-8 margin in shots, including a 7-5 edge in shots on goal. Marchant (65:04) and Lisy (24:56) each saw time in goal, with Marchant making BG's only save on the day.
GLEIXNER GETS GOALS: Freshman Tracy Gleixner came to BG as a finisher, having set the school records for both goals and assists at Schaumburg (Ill.) High School. So far, she has shown the same prowess as a collegian. Gleixner scored a goal in each of last weekend's matches, bringing her seasonal total to six. That ties the BGSU single-season record, set by Krista Shamblin last fall in the team's inaugural season.
Gleixner also has three assists on the season, tied for third on the team, and her 15 total points is the highest seasonal mark in school annals. Kerry McKee had 13 points last fall.
CHECK OUT THESE NUMBERS!: The Falcons have broken, or are nearing, numerous records. The Brown and Orange have won three MAC matches, which triples the team's total of last year. BGSU has 10 points (three points for a win, one for a tie) in MAC action, after totalling just three points a year ago.
BG's six total wins this fall matches last year's overall total. The Falcons went 6-12-0 overall and 1-6-0 in the MAC last season.
The Falcons, after scoring 28 goals during all of last season, now have 29 goals in 1998.
UNLUCKY: In the course of three minutes in Sunday's match, three things happened, all of which favored visiting Western Michigan. BGSU trailed, 3-2, with approximately 15 minutes remaining when sophomore Janice Mentrup let a shot fly. Mentrup, who already had a goal and an assist on the day, hit the crossbar. Minutes later, the Broncos scored on an own goal, when a WMU cross was redirected into the net by a BG player. Then, freshman Beth Wechsler hit the bar with a shot of her own.
PUTTING IN HER TIME: Sophomore Janice Mentrup is the only Falcon to have played every minute of every match this season. Mentrup, a steady midfielder, had two assists entering the WMU match, and she figured in both of BG's goals against the Broncos. Mentrup drew the lone assist on Tracy Gleixner's match-opening goal, and she scored the Falcons' second marker on a header.
Last season, Mentrup was one of just three Falcons to start all 18 matches.
FALCON NOTES: Neither goalie was credited with a save during the second half of Thursday's BGSU-CMU contest...six shots resulted in goals in that half, while the other 10 sailed high or wide...the Falcons have committed more fouls than the opponent just twice in 11 matches...in MAC contests, BG has been out-fouled, 87-50...junior Michelle Lisy saw action both at forward and in goal vs. WMU...three days earlier, she had scored two of BG's four goals vs. CMU...senior Krista Shamblin holds the school career marks with 10 goals and 23 points...sophomore Janice Mentrup is the BGSU leader with nine career assists...Lisy, who began her BG career as the third-string goalie, is second all-time with 18 points, and her six-goal total ties her for second with sophomore Stephanie Heller and freshman Tracy Gleixner.
FALCON QUICK FACTS
1998 RECORDS Overall: 6-4-1 (.591) Mid-American Conference: 3-2-1 LAST WEEK'S RESULTS Thu., Oct. 1: at BGSU 4, Central Michigan 3 Sun., Oct. 4: Western Michigan 4, at BGSU 2 HEAD COACH - Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 12-16-1 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 95-75-9 ASSISTANT COACH - Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 12-16-1 (.431) (1997-present / second year) MAC: 4-8-1 (.346) (1997-present / second year) MAC STANDINGS Team (Overall) MAC Pts. Eastern Mich. (10-3) 6-0-0 18 Northern Ill. (6-4) 5-1-0 15 Ohio (8-4) 4-1-0 12 Toledo (6-6) 4-2-0 12 Bowling Green (6-4-1) 3-2-1 10 Kent (6-3-1) 2-2-1 7 Miami (3-4-2) 1-3-2 5 Buffalo (7-3-1) 1-3-1 4 Western Mich. (3-6-1) 1-4-0 3 Central Mich. (3-6-1) 0-4-1 1 Marshall (2-9) 0-5-0 0 BGSU RESULTS LINE 419/372-7076; choose option 4 (same-day scores and brief summaries from all Falcon athletic teams)
(Sept. 28 Release)
UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
Central Michigan at BGSU - Oct. 1 - 4 pm
Western Michigan at BGSU - Oct. 4 - 3 pm
THIS WEEK: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team, looking to extend a two-match unbeaten streak, will continue a season-long, five-match homestand with a pair of Mid-American Conference matches this week. The Falcons (5-3-1 overall, 2-1-1 MAC) host Central Michigan in a Thursday (Oct. 1) tilt, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
Following the CMU contest, the Brown and Orange will face Western Michigan Sunday (Oct. 4). The match, which is the second of a men's/women's soccer doubleheader, is scheduled to begin at approximately 3:00 p.m. Both of this week's matches will be played at BGSU's Cochrane Field (1,000).
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo is in his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 11-15-1 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 94-74-9.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU is 5-3-1 on the season after posting a victory and a tie last week. The Falcons posted a 2-1 victory over Buffalo Friday (Sept. 25) before earning a 1-1, double-overtime tie against Kent two days later (Sept. 27).
The Falcons finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. The team posted a 1-6-0 MAC mark.
Central Michigan is 3-5 this season, and the Chippewas are 0-3 in the MAC. CMU dropped a pair of 1-0 decisions last weekend, to Toledo and Eastern Michigan. Head coach Mark Salisbury guides the first-year program.
Western Michigan brings a 2-5-1 overall record into the week, and the Broncos are 0-3 in MAC action, heading into Thursday's (Oct. 1) match at Miami. Last weekend, WMU dropped a 2-1, overtime decision to EMU and a 1-0 contest to Toledo. Last year, the Broncos went 9-8-2 overall and tied for second place with a 4-2-1 record. Michael Haines is in his first year at the WMU helm.
THE SERIES: BGSU will meet Central Michigan, a first-year program, for the first time in women's soccer.
The Falcons lost to Western Michigan last season, 4-2. Autumn Harris and Stephanie Heller scored early goals for the visiting Falcons, only to see the Broncos take a 3-2 lead before halftime en route to the win. Janice Mentrup had the primary assist on the goal by Harris.
LAST WEEK: The Falcons went 1-0-1 in the team's first two home MAC matches of the year. BGSU posted a 2-1 win over Buffalo Friday (Sept. 25) before battling to a 1-1 draw with Kent two days later.
The Brown and Orange used some late heroics in the UB win. After the visiting Bulls tied the contest at 1-1 with just 2:57 left, freshman Tracy Gleixner found the back of the net with only 1:33 remaining. Sophomore Stephanie Heller, whose pass beat the goalie and gave Gleixner an empty net in which to deposit the ball, had scored the first goal of the match, at the 60:13 mark. Junior Michelle Lisy and freshman Cari Combs drew assists on Heller's goal, while Heller and senior Krista Shamblin assisted on Gleixner's match-winner. Freshman Sarah Gawel made four saves in net for the Brown and Orange.
On Sunday, Shamblin got the Falcons on the board early. Her unassisted goal at the 13:53 mark, however, proved to be the only time the hosts could beat KSU goalie Angie Snow. Shamblin one-timed a loose ball past Snow into the upper left (far) corner of the goal. The Flashes equalized at 54:44. Lisy, making her first start of the year in goal, got a piece of the shot and then tried to knock the ball off of the goal line, but the shot had already crossed the line. BGSU outshot the visitors, 24-5, including a 14-3 margin in shots on goal. The Falcons committed 10 fouls to the Golden Flashes' 26.
SHAMBLIN SCORING: Senior Krista Shamblin had an assist in the Buffalo win and scored the Falcons' lone goal in the Kent match. Shamblin, already the school's career scoring leader, set a record by scoring at least one point in four-straight matches. The old record of three matches was held by four players, including current Falcons Michelle Lisy and Janice Mentrup.
For her career, Shamblin has totalled 22 points on a school-best 10 goals and two assists.
COMBS LENDS AN ASSIST: Freshman Cari Combs had assists on the first BG goal in the Buffalo match. For Combs, it was the third consecutive goal on which she earned an assist, and it was her fifth assist in a four-match span.
Combs leads the Brown and Orange with five assists, and she is tied for third on the team with seven points. The school's single-season assist record is seven, set by Stefanie Sizemore a year ago. The single-match assist record of three is held by two players.
LISY BACK IN NET: Junior Michelle Lisy began the 1997 season as the third-string goalie. She worked her way into the rotation at forward, and started the first eight matches of the season up front in 1998. Necessity dictated a return to the goalie spot Sunday vs. Kent, and Lisy allowed just one goal in 120 minutes of action. Lisy, who played just 52:36 minutes in goal last season (allowing four goals), made two stops, including one on a KSU breakaway just minutes after the Flashes had tied the contest at one.
CHECK OUT THESE NUMBERS!: The Falcons have broken, or are nearing, numerous records. The Brown and Orange have won two MAC matches, doubling the team's total of last year.
BG's five total wins this fall is just one shy of matching last year's overall total. The Falcons went 6-12-0 overall and 1-6-0 in the MAC last fall.
CHECK OUT THESE NUMBERS II: In the three all-time matches against Kent - two wins last fall as well as Sunday's tie - the Falcons have outshot the Flashes by a 99-22 count. That total includes a 42-10 advantage in shots on goal.
FALCON NOTES: Bowling Green has 23 goals through nine matches, after scoring 28 goals all of last season...the BGSU-KSU deadlock marked the first tie in school history...the 120-minute match also is the longest in BGSU annals...as noted earlier, senior Krista Shamblin holds the school lead with 10 career goals and 22 points...sophomore Janice Mentrup is the BGSU leader with eight career assists...BG has displayed quite a balanced attack, as 19 of the 23 field players have scored at least one point...a total of nine players have at least four points on the year...the Falcons' current five-match homestand is the longest in school history...the homestand is followed by a five-match road trip, tied for the longest in school annals.
FALCON QUICK FACTS
1998 RECORDS Overall: 5-3-1 (.611) Mid-American Conference: 2-1-1 LAST WEEK'S RESULTS Fri., Sept. 25: at BGSU 2, Buffalo 1 Sun., Sept. 27: at BGSU 1, Kent 1 (2 OT) HEAD COACH - Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 11-15-1 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 94-74-9 ASSISTANT COACH - Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 11-15-1 (.426) (1997-present / second year) MAC: 3-7-1 (.318) (1997-present / second year) MAC STANDINGS Team (Overall) MAC Pts. Eastern Mich. (8-3) 4-0-0 12 Ohio (7-3) 3-0-0 9 Northern Ill. (4-4) 3-1-0 9 Toledo (5-5) 3-1-0 9 Bowling Green (5-3-1) 2-1-1 7 Kent (5-2-1) 2-1-1 7 Buffalo (7-2-1) 1-2-1 4 Miami (2-4-1) 0-3-1 1 Central Mich. (3-5) 0-3-0 0 Western Mich. (2-5-1) 0-3-0 0 Marshall (2-6) 0-3-0 0
(Sept. 21 release)
UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
Buffalo at BGSU - Sept. 25 - 4 pm
Kent at BGSU - Sept. 27 - 2 pm
THIS WEEK: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team, after splitting a pair of road matches to open the Mid-American Conference schedule, returns home for the next five matches, beginning with a pair this weekend. The Falcons (4-3 overall, 1-1 MAC) host Buffalo, the league's newest member, in a Friday (Sept. 25) tilt, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
Following the UB contest, the Brown and Orange will face Kent Sunday (Sept. 27) in a 2:00 p.m. start. Both matches will be played at BGSU's Cochrane Field (1,000).
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo is in his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 10-15-0 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 93-74-8.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU is 4-3 on the young season after going 1-1 last week. The Falcons opened MAC play with a come-from-behind, 2-1 win at Toledo Thursday (Sept. 17) before falling at Eastern Michigan, 5-2, three days later.
The Falcons finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. The team posted a 1-6-0 MAC mark. BG finished strong a year ago, winning four of the final six contests.
Buffalo is 6-1 this season, and the Bulls are 1-1 in league play. UB started the season with six-straight wins, including a 3-1 victory over visiting Marshall Friday (Sept. 18), before falling to Ohio by a 1-0 count Sunday (Sept. 20). The Bulls host Duquesne in a non-conference match Wednesday (Sept. 23) before coming to BG. UB has already surpassed last year's win total, having gone 5-12-3 as an independent. Head coach Jean-A. Tassy is 28-24-7 in his fourth year.
Kent is 4-2 on the season, and the Golden Flashes have a 1-1 MAC record after splitting a pair of home matches over the weekend. KSU opened the season with overtime wins over Liberty and Findlay. The Flashes lost to Ashland, but defeated Robert Morris. Last weekend, Kent lost to Ohio, 2-0, before beating Marshall by a 3-0 count. Last year, the Flashes went 3-14-2 overall and 1-5-1 in league action. Head coach Colleen Marcum is 7-16-2 in her second year at the school and 16-70-2 in her sixth year overall. The Flashes play at Miami Friday (Sept. 25) before heading to BG.
THE SERIES: BGSU holds series advantages over both of this weekend's foes. The Falcons lead the all-time series with Buffalo, 1-0, and BGSU is 2-0 lifetime vs. Kent.
A year ago, the Falcons downed UB by a 2-1 count at Cochrane Field. Michelle Lisy and Emily Graham scored the BG goals.
The Brown and Orange won the first match in school history, 1-0 at Kent in overtime, last Aug. 29. Kerry McKee scored the first goal in BG annals at the 96:43 mark.
Nearly two months later, on Oct. 17, the Falcons posted a 2-0 decision over the visiting Flashes. McKee and Jamie Eshleman scored BG's goals. Lisy assisted on Eshleman's goal, while Janice Mentrup had an assist in each Kent contest.
LAST WEEK: The Falcons split a pair of matches to open MAC play. BGSU posted a 2-1 win at Toledo Thursday (Sept. 17) before falling at Eastern Michigan, 5-2, Sunday (Sept. 20).
BGSU fell behind after just six minutes at UT, as the Rockets scored on the team's first shot attempt of the match. The Falcons fought back, however, and freshman Beth Wechsler's 30-yard blast tied the contest at the 30:10 mark. Classmate Michelle Hoyng assisted on the goal. Both teams had good scoring opportunities, but no one could put the ball in the back of the net until the 81:45 mark. Senior Krista Shamblin's pass found freshman Desiree Erb on a breakaway. Erb went in all alone and beat the UT goalie for the match-winner. The Falcons held a 20-12 advantage in shots, including a 12-7 lead in shots on goal. Freshman Sarah Gawel made six saves to earn the win in goal.
The win was just the second come-from-behind victory in BGSU history. The Falcons gave up the first goal at Robert Morris last Oct. 31, but recovered for a 3-1 win.
Eastern Michigan scored three goals in a seven-minute span late in the first half, and the Falcons could not recover Sunday afternoon. The Brown and Orange cut the margin to a single goal, with tallies from junior Michelle Lisy and senior Krista Shamblin, but the Eagles scored two late goals to seal the deal. Freshman Cari Combs recorded assists on both Falcon goals, while classmate Tracy Gleixner assisted on Lisy's score. Goalies Gawel and Sarah Marchant combined for six saves. EMU outshot BG, 21-8, and the Eagles committed 16 fouls to the Falcons' six.
DEFINITE IMPROVEMENT: The Falcons, with the win at Toledo, started the MAC season at 1-0 for the first time ever. The win matched BGSU's conference victory total for all of last year. In the Falcons' first campaign, the team posted a 1-6 league ledger.
BG's four total wins this fall is just two victories shy of matching last year's overall total. The Falcons went 6-12-0 last fall.
COMBS LENDS AN ASSIST: Freshman Cari Combs had assists on both BG goals in the loss at EMU. For Combs, the two-assist match was her second in three contests. She turned the trick against Dayton on Sept. 13.
After seven matches, Combs leads the Brown and Orange with four assists, and she is third on the team with six points. The school's single-season assist record is seven, set by Stefanie Sizemore a year ago. The single-match assist record of three is held by two players.
SHAMBLIN FINDS THE SCORESHEET: Senior Krista Shamblin has picked up her scoring as of late. The team's only senior, she assisted on the match-winning goal at Toledo, as her pass sent freshman Desiree Erb in all alone on the goalie. The assist was her first as a Falcon.
Sunday, she was credited with the Falcons' second goal to bring BG within 3-2 against Eastern Michigan.
This season, Shamblin ranks second on the team with seven points, and she is tied with freshman Tracy Gleixner for the goal-scoring lead, with three.
Shamblin is the BGSU career leader in both goals (nine) and points (19).
FALCON NOTES: Bowling Green has 20 goals through seven matches, after scoring 28 goals all of last season...Tracy Gleixner holds the team lead with eight points...BG has displayed quite a balanced attack, as 19 of the 23 field players have scored at least one point...a total of nine players have at least four points on the year...Falcon players had a total of four multiple-assist matches last year after totalling three a year ago...the Falcons begin a five-match homestand with this week's two contests...that homestand, the longest in school history, is followed by a five-match road trip...the road trip is tied for the longest in school annals...BG then ends the regular season with a single home contest.
QUICK FACTS:
1998 RECORDS Overall: 4-3-0 (.571) Mid-American Conference: 1-1-0 LAST WEEK'S RESULTS Thu., Sept. 17: BGSU 2, at Toledo 1 Sun., Sept. 20: at Eastern Michigan 5, BGSU 2 HEAD COACH - Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 10-15-0 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 93-74-8 ASSISTANT COACH - Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 10-15-0 (.400) (1997-present / second year) MAC: 2-7-0 (.222) (1997-present / second year) MAC STANDINGS Team (Overall) MAC Pts. Ohio (6-2) 2-0-0 6 Eastern Mich. (5-3) 2-0-0 6 Northern Ill. (3-3) 2-0-0 6 Buffalo (6-1) 1-1-0 3 Kent (4-2) 1-1-0 3 Bowling Green (4-3) 1-1-0 3 Toledo (3-4) 1-1-0 3 Central Mich. (3-3) 0-1-0 0 Western Mich. (2-3-1) 0-1-0 0 Miami (2-3) 0-2-0 0 Marshall (2-5) 0-2-0 0
(Sept. 14 release)
UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
BGSU at Toledo - Sept. 17 - 4 pm
BGSU at Eastern Michigan - Sept. 20 - 1 pm
THIS WEEK: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team, looking to snap a two-match losing streak, takes to the road for a pair of short trips north this week. The Falcons (3-2) open Mid-American Conference play with a Thursday (Sept. 17) contest against arch-rival Toledo. That match is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. at UT's Scott Park Field.
Following the UT contest, the Brown and Orange will complete the brief, two-match road trip, facing Eastern Michgian in a Sunday (Sept. 20) matinee. The Falcons and Eagles will meet in a 1:00 p.m. start at EMU Varsity Field.
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo is in his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 9-14-0 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 92-73-8.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU is 3-2 on the young season after losses to West Virginia and Dayton last week. The Falcons finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. The team posted a 1-6-0 Mid-American Conference mark. BG finished strong a year ago, winning four of the final six contests.
Toledo is 2-3 on the season, with wins over Youngstown State (3-1) and Valparaiso (3-1) and losses to UC-Irvine (0-2), Long Beach State (0-1, OT) and Findlay (0-2). Last year, UT was 9-6-2 overall and finished fifth in MAC play with a 4-3 record. Coach R.J. Anderson, in his fourth year at the Rocket helm, is 29-27-4.
Eastern Michigan, after going 11-7-1 last season, is 3-2 this fall. The Eagles have wins over IUPU-Indianapolis (3-0), Saginaw Valley (8-0) and Valpo (2-1). Eastern has lost to Michigan State (2-5) and Oakland (0-3). Last year, the Eagles tied for second in MAC play with a 4-2-1 record, and the team advanced to the MAC Championship match. Head coach Paul Scicluna is 28-27-1 in his fourth year. The Eagles face Michigan on Tuesday before meeting the Falcons Sunday.
THE SERIES: BGSU will meet both UT and EMU for the second time. In each case, the Falcons will be looking to avenge a narrow road loss.
The Rockets, before a crowd of 2,385, downed the Falcons in Toledo by a 3-2 count last September 20. Stephanie Heller and Ashley Enser scored the BG goals, with Autumn Harris drawing an assist on Heller's goal.
Eight days later, EMU posted a 1-0 win in Ypsilanti.
LAST WEEK: The Falcons, after the best start in school history (3-0), dropped two home matches last week. BGSU fell by a 6-0 count to West Virginia Wednesday (Sept. 9) before succumbing in overtime at the hands of Dayton, 3-2, Sunday (Sept. 13).
West Virginia held just a 1-0 lead at halftime, but poured it on for five second-half goals. WVU's 30-10 margin in shot attempts included a 21-2 advantage in shots on goal. Freshman goalkeepers Sarah Gawel and Sarah Marchant combined for 15 saves, with Gawel stopping nine of 13 SOG in 67:50.
After that disappointing showing, the Brown and Orange rallied for a strong effort vs. Dayton. The Falcons, who fell to UD by a 5-0 count last fall, controlled the play early. After a BG shot hit the right goalpost just three minutes into the match, freshman Tracy Gleixner gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at the 6:55 mark. Her shot, which caromed off both posts before going in, was assisted by classmate Cari Combs.
UD equalized early in the second half, but sophomore Stephanie Heller gave BG the lead again at the 67:15 mark. Heller's shot was taken from a seemingly difficult angle on the right side of the penalty box. Combs and freshman Michelle Hoyng drew assists on the play.
Dayton again tied the contest at 81:10, and the visitors got the match-winner 12:30 into overtime. Gawel made eight saves in goal for the Falcons, who were outshot, 21-15. UD had an 11-5 advantage in shots on goal.
QUITE A TURNAROUND: Last season, the first-year Falcons suffered a 5-0 loss at the hands of Dayton. The host Flyers scored in the first 30 seconds, and UD led, 3-0, before the contest was 10 minutes old.
This year, the Falcons dropped an overtime decision to the Flyers, who went 16-4 in 1997. BGSU never trailed until the final goal.
A RARE O.T.: Sunday's loss to Dayton marked just the second overtime contest in school history, and BG's first-ever extra session at Cochrane Field. In the first match in school history, the Falcons posted a 1-0 victory at Kent (August 29, 1997). BG outshot the Flashes, 42-9, in that match, but the Falcons did not find the back of the net until overtime.
Kerry McKee's goal in that Kent match was the first "Golden Goal" (match-ending OT goal) in NCAA Division I women's soccer history, as 1997 was the first season that a sudden-death overtime was instituted.
The Dayton contest, at 102:30, stands as the longest match in BGSU history. The Falcons scored at the 96:43 mark at KSU last fall.
FALCON FROSH FLOURISH: With 14 freshmen in the 25-player active roster, and six frosh in the starting lineup, it is not surprising that the first-year players have scored a large percentage of the BG points to date. Falcon frosh have accounted for nine of BG's 16 goals (56%) and 12 of the team's 19 assists (63%).
Falcon freshmen have made an impact defensively as well. Frosh Sarah Gawel and Sarah Marchant have combined to play every minute in goal to date.
IT'S HOT OUT HERE!: Temperatures rose above 90 degrees Sunday afternoon, and - in a meteorological rarity - there was virtually no wind at Cochrane Field. Despite these conditions, six Falcons played the entire 102:30 of the Dayton contest. Freshmen Cari Combs, Sarah Gawel, Michelle Hoyng and Beth Wechsler, along with sophomores Stephanie Heller and Janice Mentrup, did not see any bench time in the match.
STREAKY: The Dayton match ended a four-match homestand for the Falcons. BG will now go on the road for this week's two matches before returning for a five-match homestand, the longest in school history. The Brown and Orange then hits the road for five contests, tying the longest road trip in school annals, before playing a single home contest to end the regular season.
FALCON NOTES: Bowling Green has 16 goals through five matches, after scoring 28 goals all of last season...Tracy Gleixner holds the team lead with seven points...BG has displayed quite a balanced attack, as 19 of the 23 field players have scored at least one point...a total of eight players have at least four points on the year...Falcon players had a total of four multiple-assist matches last year...Cari Combs' two-assist contest vs. Dayton marked the third Falcon multi-assist match this year...fellow freshmen Mandy Smith and Leah Rosner each had two helpers vs. Robert Morris...BG has had three multi-goal matches, after totalling two a year ago.
FALCON QUICK FACTS:
1998 RECORDS Overall: 3-2-0 (.600) Mid-American Conference: 0-0-0 LAST WEEK'S RESULTS Wed., Sept. 9: West Virginia 6, at BGSU 0 Sun., Sept. 13: Dayton 3, at BGSU 2 (OT) HEAD COACH - Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 9-14-0 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 92-73-8 ASSISTANT COACH - Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 9-14-0 (.391) (1997-present / second year) MAC: 1-6-0 (.143) (1997-present / second year) BGSU RESULTS LINE 419/372-7076; choose option 4 (same-day scores and brief summaries from all Falcon athletic teams)
(Sept. 7 release)
UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
West Virginia at BGSU - Sept. 9 - 3 pm
Dayton at BGSU - Sept. 13 - 2 pm
UP NEXT: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team puts an undefeated record on the line with a pair of home matches this week. The Falcons (3-0) begin with a Wednesday (Sept. 9) contest against West Virginia. That match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. at Cochrane Field (1,000).
Following the WVU contest, the Brown and Orange will complete a four-match homestand, facing Dayton in a Sunday (Sept. 13) matinee. The Falcons and Flyers will meet in a 2:00 p.m. start.
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo is in his second season at the helm of the Falcons, and has a 9-12-0 record. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 92-71-8.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU is 3-0 on the young season after wins last week over Valparaiso, Western Illinois and Robert Morris. The Falcons finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. The team posted a 1-6-0 Mid-American Conference mark. BG finished strong, winning four of the final six contests.
West Virginia is 1-1, both overall and in the Big East Conference. After a season-opening 7-0 loss to #2 Notre Dame, the Mountainneers won, 1-0, at Georgetown. Last year, WVU went 11-6-2. Coach Nicole Izzo is 22-14-4 in her third year.
Dayton, after going 16-4-0 last season, is 2-1-0 this fall. The Flyers sandwiched wins over Ohio (3-2) and Purdue (3-1) around a 3-1 loss to Michigan. Coach Mike Tucker is 40-23-1 in his fourth year. UD will host Ohio State Wednesday and head to Xavier Friday before facing BG.
THE SERIES: BGSU will meet both WVU and Dayton for the second time. In each case, the Falcons will be looking to avenge a loss.
The Flyers downed the Falcons in Dayton by a 5-0 count last September. The WVU Mountaineers and BG played a scoreless first half in Morgantown in October, but the hosts broke through in the second half en route to a 4-0 win.
LAST WEEK: The Falcons are off to the best start in school history after winning three matches last week. BGSU posted a 2-1 win at Valparaiso Tuesday (Sept. 1) before winning the team's own Falcon Classic over the weekend. The Falcons posted a 3-0 victory over Western Illinois Saturday (Sept. 5) before exploding for a 9-2 win against Robert Morris the following afternoon.
At Valpo, BGSU rallied from a halftime deficit for the win. The only two juniors on the Falcon roster scored the goals, as Michelle Lisy tied the contest at the 58-minute mark, and Mackenzie Williams scored her first collegiate goal 11 minutes later. Sophomore Janice Mentrup assisted on Williams' match-winning tally. Freshman Sarah Gawel went all the way to earn the win in goal.
BG and WIU battled to a scoreless tie at the half, but the Falcons scored three goals in a 4:41 span early in the second half. Freshman Beth Wechsler opened the scoring at the 46:37 mark, with sophomore Stephanie Heller and Lisy drawing assists. Sophomore Autumn Harris knocked in a rebound off a goalmouth scramble at 50:13, and freshman Cari Combs completed the scoring just 1:05 later. Gawel and fellow freshman Sarah Marchant each played a half in goal, with Marchant earning the win.
The Falcons exploded for five goals in the first half against Robert Morris, then outscored the Colonials by a 4-2 margin in the second half. No fewer than three Falcons - senior Krista Shamblin and freshmen Tracy Gleixner and Erin Incorvaia - had two goals apiece. Harris scored a goal for the second-straight afternoon, while freshmen Desiree Erb and Annmarie Aparo also found the back of the net. As was the case in the WIU match, the majority of the BG starters sat out the second half.
Marchant and Gawel again split time in net, and Marchant again got the win.
FALCONS CAPTURE CLASSIC: BGSU earned the Falcon Classic title with the wins over WIU and RMC. Mid-American Conference rival Central Michigan, the fourth team in the tourney, matched BG with a 2-0 record. The Chippewas posted a 2-1 win over Robert Morris before downing Western Illinois, 4-0. BGSU, however, captured the title by virtue of the first tiebreaker, goal differential.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM: The Falcons had four players named to the all-tournament team. Sophomore Janice Mentrup joined three freshman - Cari Combs, Tracy Gleixner and Beth Wechsler - on that team. CMU had three players named to the squad, while RMC and WIU had two representatives apiece.
WOW, THIS IS EASY!: Freshman Sarah Marchant picked up the win in each of BGSU's weekend matches, and did so without facing a single shot on goal. Marchant replaced Sarah Gawel at halftime of a scoreless match on Saturday, and watched as her teammates quickly scored three second-half goals to down Western Illinois.
On Sunday, Marchant drew the start vs. Robert Morris. She exited the contest at halftime, with the Falcons holding a 5-0 lead.
HALFWAY THERE (IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE): The Falcons, after just three matches, already are halfway to last yearšs totals in two important categories - victories and goals. BGSU is 3-0 this fall after a 6-12-0 record in 1997. The Falcons have 14 goals in 1998, after scoring 28 goals in 18 matches a year ago.
THAT'S A RECORD: The Falcons set a school record with nine goals vs. Robert Morris. The previous record for goals in a match was seven, amassed in last year's season finale vs. Youngstown State.
FALCON NOTES: Bowling Green outshot last weekend's two opponents by a combined 69-14. That total includes a 33-5 margin in shots on goal...the Falcons set a school record with 17 corner kicks vs. Robert Morris. The NCAA single-match record is 22...all 25 players on the Falcon roster saw action in both weekend matches...a staggering total of 19 players have scored at least one point this fall...Tracy Gleixner holds the team lead with five points...she scored all five points, on two goals and an assist, in the RMC match...14 different players had at least one point vs. the Colonials...the following players scored their first collegiate goal last week: Mackenzie Williams, Gleixner, Erin Incorvaia, Annmarie Aparo, Cari Combs, Desiree Erb and Beth Wechsler...frosh Leah Rosner and Mandy Smith each garnered two assists in Sunday's match.
FALCON QUICK FACTS
LAST WEEK Tuesday, Sept. 1: BGSU 2, at Valparaiso 1 Saturday, Sept. 5: at BGSU 3, Western Illinois 0 Sunday, Sept. 6: at BGSU 9, Robert Morris 2 1998 RECORDS Overall: 3-0-0 (1.000) Mid-American Conf.: 0-0-0 HEAD COACH Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 9-12-0 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 92-71-8 ASSISTANT COACH Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 9-12-0 (.400) (1997-present / second year) MAC: 1-6-0 (.143) (1997-present / second year)
(August 26 release)
UP NEXT FOR THE FALCONS
BGSU at Valparaiso - Sept. 1 - 4 pm
Western Illinois at BGSU - Sept. 5 - 1 pm
Robert Morris at BGSU - Sept. 6 - 2 pm
UP NEXT: The Bowling Green State University women's soccer team heads to Indiana to open the 1998 season against Valparaiso. The Falcons will head to Valpo for a contest with the Crusaders next Tuesday, Sept. 1, beginning at 4:00 p.m. locally (5:00 p.m. Eastern time).
Following that match, the Brown and Orange will host the Falcon Classic on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 5-6. BGSU will host Western Illinois in a 1:00 match Saturday, and the Falcons will face Robert Morris the following afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Central Michigan will round out the field, facing RMC Saturday at 3:00 and WIU Sunday at noon.
The Falcon Classic matches begin a stretch in which the Brown and Orange will play nine of their next 11 contests within the friendly confines of Cochrane Field (1,000).
TOM PICCIRILLO: BGSU head coach Tom Piccirillo begins his second season at the helm of the Falcons. His overall record, which includes five years at Tiffin and three seasons at Keuka (N.Y.), is 89-71-8.
Julie Reule is in her second season as Piccirillo's assistant.
THE TEAMS: BGSU finished 1997, the team's inaugural season, with a 6-12-0 record. The Falcons posted a 1-6-0 Mid-American Conference mark. BG finished strong, winning four of the final six contests.
Valparaiso posted a 1-19-1 overall record, including an 0-5 finish in the Missouri Valley Conference, last fall. Stephan Anthony begins his first season as the head coach of the Crusaders.
Western Illinois went 0-17-0 last season. The Westerwinds, coached by second-year mentor Jennifer Daniels, join the Mid-Continent Conference in 1998 after competing as an independent a year ago.
Robert Morris posted a 4-13-2 mark last fall, going 1-3-2 in the Northeast Conference. Head coach Libbie Tobin begins her second year at the helm of the Colonials.
THE SERIES: BGSU will meet both Valparaiso and Western Illinois for the first time in women's soccer. The Falcons played Robert Morris last fall, and BGSU captured a 3-1 decision in Pennsylvania on Halloween afternoon. Krista Shamblin scored all three Falcon goals.
SCRIMMAGE RESULT: In the team's lone preseason scrimmage, the Falcons recorded a 2-2 tie against the Michigan Hawks, a club team, last night (Aug. 25). The match was originally scheduled to be held in Bowling Green, but was moved to Livonia, Mich., due to inclement weather.
A pair of freshmen, Desiree Erb and Tracy Gleixner, scored goals for BGSU.
SEASON OUTLOOK: Last fall, the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team faced many unknowns. Head coach Tom Piccirillo and assistant Julie Reule did not know how good their first-year team could be, how good the rest of the Mid-American Conference teams might be, or even how long it might take their own squad to develop a chemistry.
As a result, the team's early forays into the great unknown produced some mixed results. Sixteen freshmen, three sophomores and a junior experienced some growing pains in September.
By the time the calendar turned from October to November, however, the Falcons began to jell. BGSU won four of the final six matches of the season and finished with a 6-12-0 record.
The Brown and Orange finished eighth in the MAC with a 1-6-0 record, but - like the overall record - those numbers are deceptive. The Falcons actually beat league rival Kent twice, but only one match counted in the standings. Additionally, half of the team's MAC losses (and a total of five overall setbacks) came by just a single goal.
After a successful spring season, Piccirillo's Falcons are primed to make some noise around the midwest in 1998. A total of 11 returnees, including six starters, join with a large group of talented frosh to begin the second go-round in the MAC wars for the Brown and Orange.
"We're looking for a lot of positive outcomes this season," said Piccirillo. "One year older, one year wiser.
"In the spring, we showed definite improvement, comparatively, against teams that beat us in the fall. We were able to tie Dayton and beat Toledo.
"About half the team has experienced collegiate soccer, and they know what it means to be playing in the MAC. We've got a good nucleus returning, in combination with a good freshman class."
Three of the six returning starters could find themselves along a defensive front that would be perhaps the team's greatest strength. A pair of sophomores, Ashley Enser and Autumn Harris, will be on the back line, and classmate Janice Mentrup could join them as well.
Enser was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year last fall, while Harris was one of the Falcons' mainstays even after missing four matches due to injury.
Mentrup was one of the team's steadiest players at her midfield spot a year ago, and her 10 points scored tie her for second-most among returnees. She played defender both in high school and in club ball, however, and Piccirillo thinks a return to that position could form a stellar backfield.
"If we move Janice to the back, we could have an unbelievable defense," he said.
"We would have three of our fastest and most talented players back there. Even if they do make a mistake, they could make up for it with their speed and athleticism."
Vying for time in the back will be junior Mackenzie Williams and sophomore Liz Robarge, who combined to start 16 matches a year ago. Newcomers Leslie Buse, Meredith Davis and Leslie Hepfinger also will compete for time at defender.
"We have a lot of competition in the back, more than what we had last year," said Piccirillo.
"That competition is an overriding theme that we'll have this year, at every position."
The competition should be spirited for the goalkeeper spot as well. This spot is one of the main question marks that Piccirillo and Reule must answer, and quickly.
Two things are certain regarding the goalkeeping competition: the starter will be a freshman, and that player will be named Sarah.
Freshmen Sarah Gawel and Sarah Marchant both have good athleticism, and Gawel looks to have the early nod to enter the season as the starter.
"Both are fearless 'keepers," said Piccirillo. "They are very courageous and will go at people. The two freshmen lack high-level experience, but make up for it with their athleticism.
"Hopefully, they will enter the fall in good shape. Fitness could determine who gets the early nod in goal."
The Falcons, in addition to the obvious maturity gains, have greater versatility in '98, which adds to the competition at all positions.
"Last year, I think we had to be one of the youngest teams in the country," said Piccirillo. "Also, we had people who were more position-specific.
"Now, we've got a lot of people that can play at several spots, which will give us many more options this year."
Piccirillo figures to have a plethora of options on offense. At the midfield spots, sophomore Stephanie Heller could be joined by three freshmen. Heller, who tied Mentrup with 10 points last year, should find herself at a center midfield slot, along with freshman Beth Wechsler.
"Beth is a very good distributor of the ball," said Piccirillo. "Stephanie made a great recovery after her anterior cruciate ligament injury (in late spring of 1997). The two of them should do a great job of running the show from the center of the park."
The candidates are numerous for the flank midfield positions. Mentrup will find herself at one spot if she is not moved to the back. Freshman Cari Combs appears to have the early edge for one of the spots, and a number of other players will be getting their minutes as well.
The group of midfield candidates includes sophomore Jamie Eshleman and freshmen Desiree Erb, Michelle Hoyng, Mandy Smith, Kristy Wolter, Annmarie Aparo, Erin Incorvaia and Leah Rosner.
"I like the depth and versatility of our midfield players," said Piccirillo. "We've got a lot of choices to make, and that's a good thing in this case."
Up front, the team's lone senior could be joined by a pair of frosh. Krista Shamblin led the team in goals a year ago, with six. Her 12 points are the most among BG returnees. Shamblin earned the first MAC Player-of-the-Week award in team annals after scoring a hat trick at Robert Morris and adding a marker vs. Youngstown State to close the season. Not surprisingly, Shamblin was named the Falcons' Offensive MVP.
A high-scoring freshman, Tracy Gleixner, could be the team's center forward when the Falcons take the field for the season opener.
"Krista finished last season on a high note," said Piccirillo. "Hopefully, as our lone senior, she will be mentally ready to put her best foot forward and lead us.
"Tracy is a real finisher. She holds her high school's career records for both goals and assists."
Erb has a chance to grab the remaining position, although three other players will vie for a forward spot. That group includes Wolter, junior Michelle Lisy and sophomore Emily McCracken.
Lisy again will be the third-string goalie, in addition to her duties at forward.
Sophomore Rachel Clark, who would have been embroiled in the mix at forward, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury over the summer and will miss the 1998 season.
In addition to the added depth and versatility (despite the loss of Clark), Piccirillo feels that the 1998 schedule could be a favorable one for the Falcons. After opening the season at Valparaiso Sept. 1, the Falcons host a tournament the following weekend and will face Western Illinois and Robert Morris.
That tourney begins a stretch in which BG plays nine-of-11 matches within the friendly confines of Mickey Cochrane Field. The two away contests during that time are short trips to Toledo and Eastern Michigan.
"We've got a great home schedule, and unlike last year, we have more home matches than road matches," said Piccirillo.
"Additionally, the majority of our road contests are close. We now have people that have made those swings, know how to prepare and know what it takes to play on the road.
"If we can get off to a good start, we could get this thing called 'momentum' on our side, which we never really did last year until the very end.Ë›
Three new women's soccer programs join the MAC this fall in Buffalo, Central Michigan and Marshall, bringing the total sport membership to 11. The top-eight teams in the regular-season, single-round-robin standings will qualify for the MAC Tournament.
"The MAC should be wide open," said Piccirillo. "Despite our record, I think we proved we can play with those teams last year. Coupled with our spring results, we could find ourselves right in the mix."
So, some of last year's unknowns are now known quantities, and this year's unknowns are largely due to "problems" such as depth, versatility and competitiveness. Piccirillo feels that the Falcons control their own destiny in the coming season.
"Our key, of course, is to find out how the pieces fit best. We need to get our 11 best players on the field and see how the positions sort themselves out.
"We could have some fun times out at Cochrane Field."
FALCON QUICK FACTS:
FINAL 1997 RECORDS Overall: 6-12-0 (.333) Mid-American Conference: 1-6-0 (.143) Finish: Eighth HEAD COACH Tom Piccirillo Alma Mater: Upsala, 1986 Year at BGSU: Second Record at BGSU: 6-12-0 Year as a head coach: 10th Overall Career Record: 89-71-8 ASSISTANT COACH Julie Reule Alma Mater: James Madison, 1995 Year at BGSU: Second BOWLING GREEN RECORDS All-Time: 6-12-0 (.333) (1997-present / 1 year) MAC: 1-6-0 (.143) (1997-present / 1 year) BGSU RESULTS LINE 419/372-7076; choose option 4 (same-day scores and brief summaries from all Falcon athletic teams)
99-04-07 / mjcihon@bgnet.bgsu.edu / Disclaimer