BGSU Women’s Soccer (6-3-2,3-1-1) defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies (6-4-3,0-3-2) in a highly competitive Mid-American Conference (MAC) match.
First Half:
At the start of the game, the Huskies came out aggressive and put the Falcons on their heels as they got up two quick shots on goal with both being saved by freshman goalkeeper Payton O’Malley.
The Huskies would attempt to keep their foot on the gas, but the Falcons settled into a grove and got into the offensive movement.
It was sophomore forward Emma Stransky who would get Bowling Green on the board first in the 42nd minute. A high sailing cross from senior midfielder Jaden Frigerio would set up Stransky a header that found the back of the net, making it 1-0 BG.
The Falcons would concede the tying goal with nine seconds left in the first half. Sophomore midfielder Isabel Struble scored off a set-piece to tie the match up at 1-1 apiece heading into the locker room at halftime.
Second Half:
The Falcons started the second half strong with a new pep in their step as they came out and scored in the 49’, from a header that brought the Huskies goal-keeper Ary Purifoy out of position, and opened the lane for Lilly Boebel to connect with Lexi Czerwien to retake the lead 2-1.
Those Huskies would go onto the offensive end, but the stout Falcons defensive line would keep them out of the goal box and force them into some tough crossing attempts. The defense bent a lot but never gave the Huskies a clean look at the goal. Protecting Freshman Goalkeeper O’Malley so well that there were no saves in the second half.
Game Review
Even though the Falcons came out a bit it didn’t come back to bite them as they could weather the offensive storm that the Huskies threw their way. “It took us a little longer than I had hoped to kind of settle into the game,” head coach Chris Fox said postgame. “I felt like once we were settled and started finding our rhythm, I think we were picking up really good momentum.”
For O’Malley, this was her second career start and first time in Cochrane Stadium. “Feels great with a team as together like this it was great.”
This was also O’Malley’s first-ever collegiate win in between the pipes. O’Malley has only allowed two goals in the two games she has started.
Next up, Bowling Green will hit the road to face off against the Western Michigan Broncos in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Thursday, Oct. 10. With kick-off set for 4 p.m.
