The rain. The lightning. The 40-minute delay. The Sycamores. What do these four things have in common? None of these things could stop the Falcon women’s soccer team in their home opener Friday night.

The Falcons (1-1) came out to play right from the get go. Sophomore Alyssa Zuccaro scored the first goal for the Falcons within the first five minutes after kickoff. The offensive attack was much more aggressive too, creating several scoring opportunities in the first half.

‘We really should have put the game away in the first half,’ said coach Andy Richards.

But with about 12 minutes left to play in the first half came the downpour. Torrential rains mixed with lightning brought on about a 40 minute delay in the game.

‘The huge rain delay helped out Indiana State more then us,’ Richards said.

The Falcons added one more goal in the second half, scored by sophomore Megan Amann, but didn’t look as sharp after the rain delay. Indiana State was able to get on the scoreboard and cut the lead in half with a goal by Kaitlin Owens. They had a chance to add another goal with a penalty kick, but freshman goalie Laura Arnold made the remarkable save.

BG’s improvements in the offensive and transitional game led them to a 2-1 win in the end.

‘We should have won by more; should have scored five or six goals,’ Richards said. ‘It should have been easier than it was, but it’s the way the game goes.’

The Falcons did look better overall though, who out shot the Sycamores 21-16, and 10-9 on goal shots.

As for the back story surrounding this game, Richards had nothing but good things to say about his former player and now Indiana State coach Erika True.

‘Great to see her back. I’m very proud of her,’ he said.

BG will get ready for another Big Ten challenge, as they prepare to play Michigan State. For now though, a decisive win in their home opener was a great way to get the ball rolling towards the Mid-American Conference season.

The Falcons also traveled up to East Lansing to play one of their toughest opponents of the year Michigan State yesterday. The Spartans upended the Falcons 4-0, led by a three goal first half.

‘On that day they were unstoppable,’ Richards said. ‘We don’t play that caliber of a team all the time, but it’s a good test.’

It was individual mistakes that led to Michigan State taking a commanding 3-0 lead at the half.

BG will be back in action Friday to take on Detroit.