BGSU men’s soccer (4-1-0) handed the Butler Bulldogs (2-1-2) their first loss of the season in a Saturday evening matchup at Cochrane Stadium, through a game-winning goal from junior striker Trace Terry.
First half:
The Falcons had multiple opportunities to score within the early minutes of the half, with shots on goal by senior midfielder Taylor Dyson and sophomore forward Bennett Painter.
Bowling Green took the lead with a goal from Painter in the 20th minute of the match. Painter sneaked in a shot past Butler’s goalkeeper Caleb Norris, with the ball deflecting off the inside post for the match’s first goal and Painter’s third on the season.
Both Goalies had their work cut out for them in the first half as fifth-year keeper’ Brendan Graves got two saves for the Falcons, while Norris ended the half with two of his own for the Bulldogs.
Second half:
Butler had a great opportunity to even the game as forward Palmer Ault had a one-on-one with Graves but shot the ball wide right of the net.
The Falcons took advantage of the miss and struck on the very next possession as senior midfielder Alberto Anaya scored off a deflected shot with an assist by Terry in the 59′.
BG would get their third goal on the night, as the ball got cleared out to sophomore midfielder Anthony Hernandez, who crossed the ball perfectly to Terry who scored off of a powerful header.
The Bulldogs however quickly responded as Ault slid the ball past Graves for Butler’s first goal of the evening, making it 3-1.
Within the last minutes of the game, the Bulldogs would get a second goal, as forward Josemir Gomez tapped home a cross from Ault making the Bulldogs trail 3-2. However, the two come-from-behind goals were not enough from the Bulldogs, as the Falcons gave them their first loss of the season.
Review of the Game:
A spectacular performance by the Falcons, specifically by Terry who finished the game with both a goal and an assist. Along with Anaya and Painter’s respective goals as well.
Both Painter and Terry secured their third goals of the season and are now tied as team leaders on the season for both goals and total points.
Despite giving up two goals, the Falcons defended well against a lethal Butler attack.
Head coach Eric Nichols spoke postgame about his backline, stating “They were awesome, each of them made some big-time plays. They did what it took to win, but we definitely need to clean that up,” said Nichols. “I think we’re a little too leaky back there and that’s something we’re gonna need to tighten up.”
Next up for the Falcons will once again be at Cochrane Stadium, for their first Missouri Valley Conference match of the year as they face Northern Illinois on Friday, Sept. 13.
