Falcons, No. 20 Zips Share the Points in Scoreless Draw

Monday, October 17

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

3-4-5, 1-1-2

Akron

8-2-4, 3-0-2

Bowling Green

Akron

Photo by: Mallory Hiser, BGSU Athletics

October 17, 2022 | Men's Soccer

Box Score BGSU-Akron Stats Support Our Student-Athletes Get Your Nike Sideline Gear

BGSU hosts Chicago State in Senior-Night action Friday

By: by Mike Cihon, BGSU Strategic Communications

AKRON, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University men's soccer team, playing on the road against a nationally-ranked opponent, shared the points on Monday night (Oct. 17). The Falcons battled the University of Akron to a scoreless draw in Mid-American Conference action at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Brendan Graves made a pair of saves, both in the final five minutes of the second half, as he and the Falcons (3-4-5, 1-1-2 MAC) kept a clean sheet for the second consecutive match.

On a cold, windy night with occasional rain, the Zips (8-2-4, 3-0-2 MAC) – ranked No. 20 in the most recent United Soccer Coaches national poll – held the advantage in the shots department. But, Graves and the back line turned away every threat by the home team.

QUOTING COACH ERIC NICHOLS
"We have one of the best defenses in the country and holding Akron to one goal in two games is testimony to that. We are disappointed not to get more out of the game, but I am really proud of the way the boys battled both a good opponent and the conditions tonight."

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Eleven minutes into the match, Jason Shokalook fired a shot on an Akron counterattack. That shot, from the top of the box, curved toward the left post, but Joey Akpunonu was positioned on the goal line and easily headed the ball away.
• Midway through the half, Jonas Buechte fired a shot after a BGSU giveaway, but his effort curved wide of the right post.
• The Zips, playing with the wind at their backs in the opening half, put a pair of shots from distance well over the crossbar over the next 20 minutes.
• And, Akron had a pair of shot attempts in the final minute of the period, but both efforts were blocked by BGSU defenders.
• Early in the second half, a steal by the Falcons resulted in Nathan Masters heading into the box on the left side. Masters hit a cross into the goalmouth, but it was grabbed out of the air by goalkeeper Mitch Budler.
• Midway through the half, several minutes apart, Sergi Martinez played a pair of crosses. His cross from the right side was just out of Kyle Cusimano's reach on the six-yard line in the center of the field.
• Martinez hit a cross from the left side, and Cusimano's backheel kept the ball moving toward the danger zone, but Budler was able to grab it.
• With just under 25 minutes to go, the Falcons quickly headed forward after an offside call on Akron. Cusimano cut from left to right just outside the box on the left side, and the junior hit a low, hard shot. The striker put the ball on frame, but Budler made the save.
• Not long after, the Falcons worked the ball back into the penalty area. From the left side, Martinez fired a low ball toward the far post, but it rolled just wide and out of play.
• Brendan Graves made a pair of saves in the final four minutes of the match. First, he ranged to his left to grab Buechte's curving shot. Then, Ryan Kingsford headed a diagonal ball on frame, but Graves easily plucked that shot out of the air.

STATS, NOTES & NUMBERS
• The Zips had a 12-2 advantage in total shot attempts, but Akron put only three of those shots on frame. BGSU had one shot on goal on the evening.
• BGSU and Akron are 2-2-2 in the last six meetings, including a pair of draws this season. The teams battled to a 1-1 tie a week and a half ago (Oct. 6) at Cochrane Stadium.
• Akron is now 3-0-2 in the MAC. The 20th-ranked Zips have two draws vs. the Falcons and three wins against the rest of the conference.
• For the 10th time in 12 matches this season, the Falcons and the opponent were scoreless at the half.
• BGSU has now blanked the opponent in the first half in 13 of the last 14 matches, dating to last November.
• Brendan Graves and the BGSU back line kept a clean sheet for the second-straight match and the fifth time this season. Graves now has a goals-against average of 0.50 in MAC play this fall.
• BGSU has allowed just seven goals in 12 matches this season. The Falcons have not given up more than one goal in a match since last year's NCAA Championships second-round contest at Indiana.
• Jensen Lukacsko played in the 83rd match of his BGSU career, and has now made 80 career starts as a Falcon. He has moved into a tie for fifth on both lists.
• The Falcons have a record of 39-24-12 over the last 75 games, dating to midway through the 2018 season. Sixteen of the 24 setbacks in that time have come by a single goal.

UP NEXT
• The Falcons face Chicago State for the second time in eight days when the Cougars come to town for a Friday (Oct. 21) matchup. First touch is set for 7:00 p.m. at Cochrane Stadium, with Senior Night festivities taking place prior to the match.

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