The Bowling Green Men’s soccer team came into this weekend’s games with poise and enthusiasm. Their mission: To get their first win of the season.
Last weekend’s losses in offensive battles against Ohio State and Marshall showed that the Falcons have the ability to attack and do what wins games: Scoring.
The only problem is that the games that they do score, the other team is scoring more.
This weekend the Falcons were handed a pair of shut outs, falling 2-0 to Oakland on Friday, and 4-0 to Akron on Sunday.
In a game that Head Coach Fred Thompson called, “A solid Division One game,” BG came out and matched evenly with their 5-1-1 opponents, however with the tendency of giving up late, heart-breaking goals, they were unable to hold the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland.
BG goalie Tyler Dollins recorded eleven saves to keep the game in reach, but the Falcons just couldn’t capitalize.
“We played well,” Thompson said, “this was a very solid, well organized and disciplined team. We had our chances and we missed. Now we have to move on.”
The Falcons coach led his team against the visiting Akron Zips on Sunday afternoon. Thompson’s squad was looking to put strong pressure on the goal and come out with an early lead.
Bowling Green was able to defend well and create great scoring opportunities yet could not meet their offensive goal.
After a scoreless first half, the Zips came out with consecutive goals within a single minute of each other, taking a 2-0 advantage.
The Falcons gained some momentum back with several promising attacks on offense, however Akron was able to respond with a goal by Steve Kalan to drive a stake in BG’s chances of a comeback.
“After two goals, we were right back in it.” Thompson said. “It seems like whenever we have some momentum in our favor, something bad happens and we can’t recover.”
With a 0-12 record, Thompson believes that his team is beginning to climb their way out of the deepening hole that has slowed them down this season.
“Every week we build our confidence right back to where it needs to be.” Thompson said. “Even though we are losing, we all know that we are fighting and that the first win will come.”
The Falcons hope to get into the win column this Friday when they take on the Northern Illinois Huskies at 2 p.m.
