BGSU women’s soccer (5-2-1, 2-0-0 MAC) defeated the Toledo Rockets (3-5-1, 0-2-0 MAC) in their second Mid-American Conference (MAC) game at the Cochrane Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Toledo gave Bowling Green a scare early, as the Rockets got on the board just 79 seconds into the match.
“I think the last thing you want is to concede that early, but, I think I said this before when this happened the first game of the season, almost a carbon copy, it’s if you’re going to concede [a goal], you’d rather have 88 minutes left on the clock than five,” head coach Chris Fox said after the match. “Testament to the girls; incredibly proud of them. This may have rocked us a little bit earlier in the season, and I think it just shows a lot of character from them to just keep pushing, keep playing our game.”
However, Bowling Green didn’t allow themselves to become discouraged, and redshirt junior Goalkeeper Madison Vukas did not allow another Toledo goal the rest of the match, recording a total of 4 saves on the day.
“Obviously, not easy giving up one early. I think, maybe at first, it kind of knocks us down a bit,” graduate student defense Lexi Czerwien said. “So, we just try to stay calm, stay positive; know that if we just play our game and stick to our gameplan, that goals are going to be coming.”
With help from team captain Isabelle Gilmore, the Falcon’s defense was impenetrable after the early blemish.
“She’s [Isabelle Gilmore] our captain; I mean, there’s not enough words that can be said about what she means to this program. Arguably one of the best players I’ve ever coached,” Fox said. “Maybe doesn’t get the praise that she deserves, but absolutely wonderful human being and couldn’t think of a better captain than Isabelle Gilmore…I think the best compliment I can give Isabelle Gilmore is she’s irreplaceable; I don’t think we’re going to find another Isabelle Gilmore.”
At the beginning of the second half, Bowling Green came out with an impeccable rebound goal from Czerwien to put the Falcons back in the game, tying the score at one apiece.
“It popped out the box; Michelle [Hochstadt] had a shot that hit off somebody, and then I was there to collect it and shoot from a little bit past the six-yard box and get it in with my left [foot],” Czerwien said. “So, that was really exciting. I think it was just a lot of grit, a lot of battle; we wanted one.”
The game continued to head in Bowling Green’s favor with seven shots on goal and multiple break away plays.
Tensions rose as the game winded down. Nevertheless, Bowling Green applied the necessary pressure to allow a thriller goal in the 83rd minute from sophomore forward Emma Stransky with a beautiful assist from sophomore midfielder Emme Butera.
With only seven minutes left, Toledo tried to bring it back with a powerful shot on goal that was miraculously saved by Vukas, who made a leaping dive and held on to the ball.
Bowling Green successfully held Toledo off, earning the Falcons the Battle of I-75 victory. This win marks the second conference victory this season, keeping the Falcons undefeated in MAC play.
Next, Bowling Green will stay home and battle Ohio University on Thursday, September 26th, at Cochrane Stadium. Kick-off between the Falcons and Bobcats is set for 7 p.m.
