MVC CHAMPS! Falcons Douse Flames, 1-0, for Share of Regular-Season Crown

Wednesday, November 4

Chicago, Ill.

7 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

9-6-2, 5-1-0

UIC

4-7-4, 1-3-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Bowling Green	1	0	1
UIC	0	0	0

Photo by: Ralph Greenslade

November 04, 2026 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BGSU will be the number-one seed for the MVC Tournament

By: by Mike Cihon, BGSU Strategic Communications

CHICAGO, Ill. – Senior Aiden Ptacek scored in the 28th minute, and classmate Jason Ball made five saves in goal as the Bowling Green State University men's soccer team posted a 1-0 shutout win over UIC at Flames Field Wednesday night (Nov. 4).

In the process, the Falcons (9-6-2, 5-1-0) earned a share of the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title, and BGSU will be the number-one seed for the upcoming MVC Tournament.

The title is BGSU's first in the MVC, and marks the Falcons' first conference crown since the 2020-21 academic year.

BGSU's seven-match winning streak is the program's longest in almost three decades.

Ptacek's goal came on BGSU's only shot of the first half. Sophomore Caue Ramos took ball into the penalty area on the right side, found his path blocked as he reached the end line, then slid a pass out to freshman Joshua Pedersen.

Pedersen quickly played a right-side cross toward the near post. Ptacek, while being closely marked, went low to get his head on the ball and put it past UIC goalkeeper Owen Cornell.

The Flames (4-7-4, 1-3-2 MVC) had a 7-1 advantage in first-half shots, including a chance by Sebastian Khoury with just under two minutes gone. Khoury, who had a game-high nine shot attempts, put his first effort of the night wide of the goal.

After firing just one first-half shot, the Falcons had four – including three shots on goal – in the first 15 minutes of the second half. But, Cornell stopped a header by Ptacek and shots by sophomore Tyson McCoy and Ramos during that time.

In the 64th minute, Ptacek slipped past the Flames' defense to take a pass from McCoy and quickly fire a shot, but Cornell blocked that effort and somehow held on to the rebound.

Then, with 15 minutes to go, Ptacek took a free kick from 25 yards out and fired a blast that required a tremendous diving stop by Cornell.

The Flames took a total of 20 second-half shots, including no fewer than 11 in the final 11-plus minutes. Ball made three of his five saves during that stretch, including a spectacular stop on Khoury with just under five minutes to go.

That play saw Khoury fire a shot that was deflected by a BG defender. Ball, with all of his momentum going to his left, somehow managed to reach back behind him and block the shot, which seemed ticketed for the back of the net.

The win was not secured until the Falcons cleared the ball out of the penalty area in the final seconds, sparking a celebration worthy of a conference title.

For the game, the Flames had a 27-9 advantage in total shots, but the Falcons had a 7-5 lead in shots on goal. Cornell made six saves for the hosts.

Ptacek led the Falcons with four total shots, putting all four on frame.

Aiden Ptacek put the Falcons on the board in the 28th minute... #GoFalcons #AyZiggy 🟠🟤 https://t.co/6xaAylC5Lh
— BGSU Men's Soccer (@BGSUMSoccer) November 5, 2026

NOTE OF THE NIGHT
• As mentioned, the co-championship marks the first MVC title of any kind for the Falcons, who joined the conference prior to the 2023 season.
• BGSU's last title was the Mid-American Conference regular-season crown in the 2020-21 academic year.

The final seconds in Chicago... #GoFalcons #AyZiggy 🟠🟤 https://t.co/cisLXmhZAd
— BGSU Men's Soccer (@BGSUMSoccer) November 5, 2026

ALSO NOTEWORTHY
• After starting the season with a 1-6-2 record, the Falcons have won eight consecutive matches – BGSU's longest winning streak since 1997.
• The Falcons scored the first goal of the match just once in this season's first 10 games. But, BGSU has taken a 1-0 lead in each of the last seven matches, and the Falcons have gone on to win all seven.
• Senior Jason Ball entered the UIC match ranked first in the nation in save percentage and third in goals-against average. In Wednesday's win, he raised his save pct. to .922 and lowered his GAA to 0.44.
• Ball is 7-1-1 on the season, with five shutouts in his nine starts.
• Senior Aiden Ptacek scored his second goal of the season, and it was also his second game-winning goal of the year. He has had the GWG in each of the Falcons' last two MVC matches, having opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the Belmont match (Oct. 25).
• Sophomore Caue Ramos picked up his team-leading fifth assist of the season. He also leads the Falcons in points, with 11.
• Freshman Joshua Pedersen also had an assist in the win, his third of the year. Pedersen and Ptacek each have seven points on the season.
• Ptacek and Ramos tied for the team lead in scoring in MVC matches, with six points apiece.

UP NEXT
• The Falcons, the number-one seed for the MVC Tournament, will host a semifinal-round match at Cochrane Stadium next Wednesday night (Nov. 11).BGSU will face either fourth-seeded Belmont or fifth-seeded UIC, with first touch set for 7:00 p.m.
• If BGSU advances, the Falcons would host the MVC Tournament championship three nights later (Saturday, Nov. 14).

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.