Huskies Top Falcons, 2-1, to Set Up Rematch on Sunday

Wednesday, November 1

DeKalb, Ill.

8 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

7-7-3, 4-4-0

Northern Illinois

6-8-1, 3-4-1

Bowling Green

NIU

Photo by: Scott Walstrom, NIU Athletics

November 01, 2023 | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)2023 Record Book (PDF)Support BGSU Men's Soccer

BGSU falls in regular-season finale, will host NIU in MVC Tournament quarterfinal-round match

By: by Mike Cihon, BGSU Strategic Communications

DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University got a goal late in each half, and the Huskies downed the Bowling Green State University men's soccer team, 2-1, on Wednesday night (Nov. 1). The Missouri Valley Conference matchup was held at the NIU Soccer & Track and Field Complex.

The teams will meet again in four days, as the Falcons will host the Huskies on Sunday evening (Nov. 5) in the quarterfinal round of the MVC Tournament.

The Falcons (7-7-3, 4-4-0 MVC) held advantages of 17-9 in total shot attempts and 9-4 in shots on goal, but Angel Rodriguez gave the Huskies (6-8-1, 3-4-1 MVC) the lead in the 41st minute.

BGSU applied pressure for much of the second half, and tied the score on an own goal when a low, hard cross by Nathan Masters was deflected into the net by a Huskie defender in the 72nd minute.

But, Taisei Arima found the net with just 4:46 on the clock for what would prove to be the winning goal.

UP NEXT
• The Falcons finish the regular season in fourth place in the MVC, and BGSU will host fifth-seeded NIU on Sunday evening (Nov. 5) at Cochrane Stadium. Starting time will be announced in the next few days.

• The BGSU-NIU survivor will advance to the semifinal round next Wednesday (Nov. 8) in Kalamazoo, and will face either top-seeded Western Michigan or second-seeded Missouri State. The teams are reseeded after the conclusion of the quarterfinal round.

AROUND THE MVC – WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS
at Northern Illinois 2, Bowling Green 1
Evansville 2, at Belmont 2
Western Michigan 2, at Bradley 0
at Missouri State 2, Drake 0

UPDATED MVC STANDINGS
School (Overall) MVC Pts.
1. Western Michigan (13-1-3) 7-0-1 22
2. Missouri State (10-2-3)   6-1-1 19
3. UIC (10-4-3) 4-2-2 14
4. Bowling Green (7-7-3) 4-4-0 12
5. Northern Illinois (6-8-1) 3-4-1 10
Belmont (8-6-3) 3-4-1 10
7. Evansville (4-8-4) 2-4-2   8
8. Bradley (5-6-6) 1-6-1   4
Drake (3-10-3) 1-6-1   4

2023 MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, Nov. 5 - Quarterfinals (at high seed)
*No. 6 Belmont at No. 3 UIC (ESPN+) – 2 PM
*No. 5 Northern Illinois at No. 4 Bowling Green (ESPN+) – TBA
* Bracket will be reseeded following the Sunday, November 5 quarterfinals

Wednesday, Nov. 8 - Semifinals (at Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Next Highest Seed vs. No. 2 Missouri State (ESPN+) – 11 AM
Lowest Remaining Seed at No. 1 Western Michigan (ESPN+) – 2 PM

Saturday, Nov. 11 - Championship (at Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Championship (ESPN+) – 1 PM
all times ET

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.