Falcons, Titans Tie on Tuesday

Tuesday, October 3

Detroit, Mich.

7 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

5-3-3, 2-1-0

Detroit Mercy

3-6-2, 2-1-1

Bowling Green

Detroit Mercy

Gus Peacock was one of four Falcons to play all 90 minutes Tuesday night

Photo by: Kemery Aichele, BGSU Athletics

October 03, 2023 | Men's Soccer

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By: by Mike Cihon, BGSU Strategic Communications

DETROIT, Mich. – Brendan Graves and the Bowling Green State University men's soccer team kept a clean sheet on Tuesday night (Oct. 3), as the Falcons battled the University of Detroit Mercy to a scoreless draw. The non-conference match was held at Titan Field.

Graves had a pair of saves for the Falcons (5-3-3 [2-1-0 Missouri Valley Conference]), who posted their second shutout of the season.

BGSU had slim advantages of 11-10 in total shot attempts and 3-2 in shots on goal over the Titans (3-6-2 [2-1-1 Horizon League]).

For Graves, the shutout was his second of the season and the 11th of his BGSU career.

NOTE OF THE NIGHT
• A pair of former Falcons were on the opposing bench Tuesday night. UDM head coach Nate Kopunek is in his first year with the Titans after spending the previous four seasons as an assistant coach at BGSU. During that time, he helped the Falcons to a 37-23-10 record along with two trips to the NCAA Championships.

• Former BGSU goalkeeper Logan Kowalczyk is an assistant coach on Kopunek's staff. Kowalczyk had a 16-8-3 career record at BGSU, with a career goals-against average of just 0.83. He was an All-Mid-American Conference Second-Team selection and was a part of those two NCAA tourney teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Neither team had a shot attempt over the first 15 minutes of the match, before Andrew Shaffer fired an attempt that was blocked. The rebound wound up going over the end line for a goal kick.
• With nearly a half hour gone, Alberto Anaya played a ball ahead to Eli Shope, who crossed the ball into the box from the left side. Trace Terry got his head on the ball and put it on frame, but the shot was tipped wide of the net with a leaping effort by UDM goalkeeper Quinn Tews. Tews nearly spilled the ensuing corner kick into the six-yard box, but was able to dive on the ball.
• Terry had another dangerous-looking attempt in the opening half, hitting a curving shot toward the upper right corner, but Tews made the save.
• Early in the second half, it looked like the Titans had a chance, but a Josh Copeland shot from distance was blocked, and Brendan Graves punched the ensuing diagonal ball out of the box.
• In the 51st minute, Shope slid a pass to Nathan Masters, but Masters' shot went over the bar.
• BGSU had a flurry of activity in the offensive end, as Kyle Blasingame put a hard shot on goal that was parried by Tews. Shaffer's follow-up try was blocked, and after a Falcon corner kick, Terry got his head on the ball, but it was also blocked in the penalty area.
• Jake Lane was fouled in the 66th minute, and Anthony Hernandez played a free kick into the box, but Tews was able to grab it.
• One minute later, the Falcons were called for a foul just outside the penalty area, but Drew Pierson's curving free kick went just high.
• Grave made a diving save on Copeland in the 71st minute, and six minutes later, Shope slid a cross to Lane, but Lane's shot from the right side was blocked.
• Off of a corner kick, Terry attempted a bicycle kick and made contact, but the shot went high.
• The Titans had an odd-man rush with just over five minutes to go, but a cross/shot was gathered in by Graves.
• Masters took an Anaya pass as he headed down the left side, and the fifth-year senior crossed the ball into the penalty area, but it was just out of reach of the lunging Shope.

STATS, NOTES & NUMBERS
• BGSU, as mentioned, had slim advantages of 11-10 in total shots and 3-2 in shots on goal. Brendan Graves made two saves for the Falcons, while Quinn Tews had two stops for the hosts.
• BGSU had a 6-3 lead in corner kicks, and the match featured just 15 fouls, with Detroit Mercy committing nine to BG's six.
• Kyle Cusimano came off the bench to see action after missing the previous six matches due to injury.
• In addition to Graves, three Falcons – Eli Shope, Mads Christensen and Gus Peacock – each played the full 90 minutes.

TERRY EARNS HONORABLE MENTION ON TOP DRAWER SOCCER TEAM OF WEEK
• On Tuesday morning, sophomore Trace Terry earned honorable mention on the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week. Terry had two goals and an assist in BG's lone match last week, a 4-2 win over Evansville on Saturday evening (Sept. 30).

UP NEXT
• The Falcons wrap up the non-conference portion of the schedule this weekend, with a Saturday (Oct. 7) matchup at Maryland. First touch is set for 7:00 p.m. at Ludwig Field, and the match will be streamed via Big Ten Network+.

• Then, BGSU heads to Nashville to face Belmont the following Saturday (Oct. 14). The Falcons' next home contest is Wednesday, Oct. 18, when UIC comes to Cochrane. The Flames are currently ranked 25th in the nation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION...
• For more information on the BGSU men's soccer program, follow the Falcons on Twitter/X (@BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUMSoccer), Instagram (bgfalcons and bgsumsoccer) and Facebook (BGMensSoccer) as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.