The women’s soccer team left BG knowing that the next two road games will decide the fate of their postseason aspirations. In the tightly contested Mid-American Conference, eight teams will qualify for postseason play.
The Falcons are currently in eighth place with a 4-4-2 MAC record. Depending on how the next two games go, BG could find themselves hosting a playoff game in two weeks — or out of the playoffs completely.
The Falcons begin their quest for the playoffs with a game today against Ohio at 4 p.m.
Like the Falcons, the Bobcats are fighting for their playoff lives, at 4-6-1 and sitting at 10th place in the MAC.
Falcon coach Andy Richards said that while Ohio has struggled at times this season, they will present a tough challenge for BG. “They’re in the same position as us,” Richards said. “They’re playing good soccer but just haven’t had the winning goals or the bit of luck when it’s needed.”
Richards said that in order for BG to get lucky, they will need to play well. He said there are several examples from this season when BG was rewarded for consistent play.
“I think you create your own luck,” Richards said. “I’m sure people will be saying that we were lucky to come back against Miami, or lucky to get that late goal against Akron … we’d have to argue that we earned that luck.”
Following the game against Ohio, BG will travel to West Virginia to take on Marshall, a team that has had a difficult season, currently at 2-8 and in next to last place.
Richards said that regardless of Marshall’s record, they always put forth a strong effort.
“They have always been a hard working team, and I expect to see the same from them again,” Richards said. “It’s their senior day and their last game of the season, so I’m sure they’ll be pretty fired up to play.”
With the Falcons controlling their own destiny in regards to a playoff appearance, BG player Jenny Berlovan said she looks for BG to come out strong this weekend.
“I’m expecting us to come out hard, because we know we have to win both games,” Berlovan said. “I think we’ll have confidence and take it to them.”
