BGSU men’s soccer (3-1-0) failed to keep their winning streak alive after a match with Michigan (3-0-1) in Ann Arbor that saw a lot of opportunities, but no goals for the Falcons.
Bowling Green threatened multiple times with quality chances throughout, especially in the second half where they took three shots on goal within two minutes, but the Michigan defense managed to keep a clean sheet and hold the Falcons scoreless for the first time in the young 2024 season.
Fifth-year goalkeeper Brendan Graves would be forced into action early on in this one after a shot earned off a corner is on target for striker Beto Soto, but Graves tips it just over the bar for the first save of the match.
sophomore forward Trace Terry was extremely active in his 25-minute stint before earning himself a yellow card, putting two shots toward the net and playing with extreme energy and confidence.
The Wolverines would strike only two minutes before the conclusion of the first half after a beautiful ball into the box from Michael Leon gives Oliver Martin the perfect opportunity for a header that goes right over the head of Graves and into the back of the net.
The Falcons came out swinging in the second half, forcing Michigan goalkeeper Isaiah Goldson to make three saves in two minutes as the Wolverines held their lead.
Michigan scored their second goal in the 75th minute via an amazing cross from Soto that gave Charlie Lawrence an open look to send the ball into the bottom right corner for his second goal of the year.
Despite BG taking 10 shots on the day, one more than a Wolverines team that won by a final score of 2-0, Michigan’s chances were of better quality, putting six out of nine of their shots on goal compared to only four out of 10 for the Falcons.
Both teams played a physical game, with 37 combined fouls on five yellow cards for the Wolverines and three for the Falcons.
With the loss, Bowling Green misses out on the opportunity to beat two Big Ten opponents in one season for the first time since 2019 and beat Michigan in Ann Arbor in the regular season for the first time since 2014.
The Falcons will look to bounce back next weekend when they come back home to take on Butler (2-0-1) on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. at Cochrane Stadium.
