BG’s game against IPFW got off to a poor start as IPFW’s Max Tolute found the back of the net after just 120 seconds, finding his own rebound in the box and blasting past Falcon Keeper Miguel Rosales from four yards out.

Giving up an early goal has plagued the Falcons during the first year and a half of Nichols tenure, but things are starting to turn around as was evidence when Sophomore Joey D’Agostino’s first ever Falcon goal with a 23rd minute strike beat IPFW keeper Donavan Dowling. The goal may catapult the young player into Nichols starting midfield on a more consistent basis, where there are no less than 10 players vying for minutes.

Of course the Falcons would be expected to find the back of the net as IPFW Casey Bowman was shown red just 23 minutes in, leaving the Mastadons with just 10 men for the rest of the contest. As bad a the red card was for the Mastadons, D’Agostono made them pay an even greater penalty as he put the resulting free kick into the top right corner of the IPFW net to even things up.

“Our game plan included putting as many balls on net as possible,” D’Agostino said. “I tried to shoot anytime an opportunity presented itself.”

“This was a must win for us, turning around from two straight losses; we are ready for Saturday when we get back into conference play,” D’Agustino said.

The Falcons forward play has been hot and cold all season and it took D’Agostino’s moment of brilliance from 22 yards out to level the score at one, where it stayed for the remainder of the first half.

 The game must have been looking eerily similar to lasts season’s contest, which ended at 1-1 when the Falcons welcomed IPFW to Cochrane field.

“The first goal we conceded was disappointing,” Nichols said. ” We responded well, and I could sense that a goal was coming. We got the tying goal right away to tie it, and eventually we got the win. The game was huge for us. We have been working hard and feel like we deserve the win. Sam had a great effort to keep the ball alive, and it was a great goal. The guys were ecstatic about it.”

Max Weston seemed to be the offensive catalyst for the Falcons, constantly asking questions of the IPFW back four from his right wing position. Weston, who is one of the MAC leaders in total points thus far this season, has already earned 10 points on four goals and two assists in nine games this season.

“When they went down a man IPFW really turned up the pressure, but in the end we stayed calm and put away the chance that counted,” Weston said. “It feels great to finally score a winner after nearly two hours of play, the team way was rejuvenated and we were full of school pride, signing Ay Ziggy Zoomba as soon as we climbed on the bus.”

Weston’s wing mate Zach Lempke, has filled in nicely on the left wing, finding the byline with ease, and constantly asking questions of defenses with crosses into the box. Lempke continued his solid performance in Indiana, with two shots, one requiring IPFW Donavan Dowling into a save.

As much as Weston was probing into the IPFW defense, Tolute was returning the favor for the Mastadons. Aside from his opening goal, the Haitian born forward was a menace all game, trying six shots, four on target.

The game swung back and forth with each team unable to finish chances. The Falcons played a rough game, committing 15 fouls, but were able to keep the Mastadons out of the net for the remainder of regulation.

The Falcons were unable to capitalize on the man advantage they enjoyed for nearly 70 minutes of regulation, and just like last year’s contest, the Falcons and Mastadon’s headed for overtime.

Coach Nichols had turned to freshman Sam Gallowaw in recent games to try to add an offensive spark up top. Nichols patience paid off with less than 120 seconds to play into the overtime as Galloway scrambled to block a lazy clearance by the IPFW defense with a sliding defense, and again beating the defender to his feet, producing a beautiful cross from 20 yards out that had eyes for goal. The cross found Weston on the back post where it would have been more difficult to miss than score.

“Once they went to 10 men, we had the confidence to take it to them the rest of the game, we worked hard all game and Zach Lempke set me up with a nice 1-2 ball, and we were able to get a big goal at the back post through Max Weston,” Galloway said. “”Once thee went to 10 men, we had the confidence to take it to them the rest of the game, we knew the goal was coming it was just a matter of when.”

IPFW outshot the Falcons 15 to 17 in a statistically deadlocked game, and Falcons star keeper Miguel Rosales carried the team on his back once again stopping seven shots. Rosales has surly solidified his position as the Falcons number one keeper.

“I had one good save, a lot to do with it was our defense was so good, aside from one miscommunication. We played well in all aspects of the game, and it seemed we wanted it more, “Rosales said.” This will motivate us at home Saturday home against Buffalo Saturday, this is going to boost us up.

Rosales, of Mexican decent, will find extra motivation Saturday as Bowling will play in honor of Hispanic heritage day.

“It is an honor to play this great sport,” Rosales said. “My brothers play this game and I am just happy to continue the tradition. This is one of the biggest sports in the world, I would love to play in Mexico on day, I just want to keep getting better every day. If we had more Latin American support for the team in BG, it would be a much better atmosphere, and add as motivation for a winning team. We can always use a 12th man out there.

The Falcons will hope to gain momentum off the win as they host conference rivals Buffalo at Cochrane field Saturday at 1 pm.

The Falcons will utilize the game to promote Hispanic Heritage week, with pregame activities including a pig roast, and thunder sticks for the first 300 fans. Last years contest was the Falcons most exciting as Cameron Hepple led the team to a 4-3 win at Buffalo

Galloway, listed as a midfielder, seemed undersized to be playing as a forward, but has made strides on the training ground, catching the attention of Nichols

Nichols was pleased with the team’s performance, especially Galloway’s and thought that the Falcons deserved all three points.

“Sam had a good overall game, we played him in a few different position, Sam put in a special effort, keeping a ball alive and setting up the game winner. We could tell it was coming we played really well, and you really could tell we deserved to win.

Although the stat sheets claim freshman Sam Galloway scored the game winning goal, Coach Eric Nichols and others in attendance were adamant that Forward Max Weston got the final touch on the decisive goal, giving him 10 points on the season, five times more than any other player on the roster. Galloway was however credited with an assist, after blocking a defensive clearance and sending a floating cross into the box for Weston’s game winning header.