INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – One match day turned into two, as BGSU men’s soccer (3-0-0) secured their third-consecutive season win over Indiana University Indianapolis (2-1-0).
With this win, the Falcons have started the season 3-0-0 for the first time in seven years.
FIRST HALF (8/30)
The first big chance for Bowling Green came in the eighth minute with a strike from senior captain Alberto Anaya that missed just wide of the goal.
In the 12th minute, sophomore forward Bennett Painter forced a save after a Jake Lane cross, which led to a goal from sophomore forward Trace Terry off the rebound, his second of the season.
The Jaguars would continue to put the pressure on Bowling Green and earned a penalty kick in the 28th minute, from a foul committed by sophomore defender Gus Peacock. IU Indy midfielder Gijs Velings stepped up to the spot and leveled the scoreline at 1-1.
Bowling Green showed a timely response, earning a free kick in the 30th minute right outside the Jags’ 18-yard box. Anaya would take the kick, burying it in the bottom corner past IU Indy goalkeeper Mason Taylor, making it 2-1 BG.
In the first 45′, the Falcons dominated IU Indy in shots, outshooting the Jags nine to five with six shots on goal to IU Indy’s one.
SECOND HALF
The second half came alongside terrible weather conditions in Indianapolis, forcing a slow start to the period. Less than four minutes into the half, a lightning delay would be announced, sending both teams off the field for half an hour.
Both teams returned to the pitch, seeing about 10 more minutes of action before lightning returned. The Falcons and Jags would wait patiently for almost 90 minutes until the match was officially postponed to 9:30 AM on Saturday.
SECOND HALF CONT. (8/31)
Over 12 hours later, the two teams returned to the pitch to continue the match.
Only seconds from the restart, a throw-in from senior captain Kyle Cusimano found the feet of junior midfielder Andrew Shaffer who extended the Falcons’ lead.
Graves did well in net to preserve the Falcons’ two-goal lead, making stops in the 61’ and 78’.
The Falcons continued to battle in the attack, earning three corner kicks in 50 seconds late in the game. The third corner kick in the sequence was netted by Cusimano, scoring a fourth goal for BG and solidifying the win for the Falcons.
REVIEW OF THE GAME
Bowling Green managed to put it all together in their win against IU Indy. With saves from Brendan Graves and impressive finishing ability from the attack, the Falcons continue their season-winning streak.
The Falcons outshot the Jags 14-9, with eight shots on goal to IU Indy’s three, and lead corner kicks 7-5.
With this win, BGSU now leads IU Indy 7-1-3 in the all-time series, unbeaten by the Jags since 2004.
Up next, the Falcons will close out their three-match road swing in Ann Arbor on Monday, Sept. 2nd, at 2 p.m. against the University of Michigan.
