The BG men’s soccer team suffered their first loss of the season against Western Illinois University by a score of 2-1.
After winning their first four games, the team looked poised to keep the momentum going on the road. Originally, the game was scheduled to be played on Western Illinois’s home field.
However, the game was played on Western Illinois’s practice field due to the home field’s condition.
Things looked promising early on as BG got off to a quick start around the 16 minute mark where senior Joe Sullivan got the team on the board with an early 1-0 lead in the first period. The score was off of a rebound as sophomore Peter Pugliese got the assist by making a nice cross towards Sullivan.
In past games, if BG led the game after the first period, they are 3-0 in those games.
Unfortunately, Western Illinois would defy the odds and got on the board around the 39 minute mark as Western Illinois’ Daniel Collins hit a deep shot of 20 yards from the center of the field.
This was right out of freshmen goalie Anthony Mwembia’s reach and tied the game at one a piece.
BG would have another great opportunity to score around the 41 minute mark as Sullivan corner kicked towards sophomore Robertson.
Shortly after, Robertson kicked what looked like to be a great open shot, but it sailed high over the net.
Another scoring opportunity arose shortly after two straight fouls on Western Illinois.
This led to senior Jacob Roth taking a shot in close range, but it was saved by Western Illinois’s Tim Hansen.
The period ended shortly after Roth’s attempt in what looked like another hard fought game.
In the second period, Western Illinois took the lead early in the second period following a corner kick from Western Illinois’s Daniel Collins that would quickly result in a chip shot goal by his teammate Jacob Bevan.
This would be the only game where BG trailed in the second period.
BG would keep hanging around late in the final 11 minutes of the second period as BG would have three corner kicks.
The first two shots came from Robertson and senior Pat Flynn. Robertson’s shot would end up being blocked and Flynn’s shot was saved by opposing goalie Hansen.
In a last effort to score, sophomore Bismark Agyeman and junior Prayag Jina were the last hope to what hoped to be another overtime game.
Following a corner kick from Sullivan, Jina worked inside and put up a shot attempt that was saved once again by Hansen.
Following Jina’s attempt, Bismark got the rebound and attempted a shot of his own, but it resulted in a blocked shot.
The final shot attempt around the final two minute mark came from Jina who put up a hurried shot right towards Hansen, but it was saved by Hansen.
Sullivan would attempt a final corner kick in the final seconds, but there was hardly any time left and Western Illinois got the victory.
Although it was tough loss to swallow, BG Coach Eric Nichols gave credit when credit was due.
“I give credit to Western Illinois,” said Nichols. “They played hard, fought hard, and they very much deserve this win they got today.”
Nichols also commented on what was the possible issue during the game that might have affected the team’s play.
“As I’ve mentioned before, once we get into our formula, we can beat anyone,” he said. “But, when we steer away from that formula or don’t execute properly, we can lose to anyone. So hopefully we get dialed back into our formula heading back home.”
BG finished with 14 shot attempts, four saves and seven corner kicks. BG will hope to bounce back as they take on Wright State University on Tuesday evening back home at Cochrane Field.
