BGSU women’s soccer (6-4-2, 3-2-1 MAC) failed to contain Western Michigan (7-1-5, 4-0-2 MAC) and their high-powered offense in a 4-0 loss that saw Bronco forward Callie Cunningham earn her first career hat trick.
A disastrous first half that included a variety of defensive miscues and missed opportunities led to a seemingly unsurmountable 4-0 deficit going into the second half that Western Michigan had no problem holding, and the Broncos remain undefeated to start MAC play, scoring their 15th goal of conference play in only their fifth game.
Western Michigan set the tone early with a goal from Cunningham that strayed past BGSU goalkeeper Peyton O’Malleyto give the Broncos an early lead, forcing the Falcons to play from behind early on.
An outstanding chance would come when junior forward Brynn Gardner is awarded a penalty kick in the 8th minute after a foul in the box from Heidi Thomasma, but a great diving save by WMU goalkeeper Lauren Boafo keeps the Falcons from equalizing early on.
The Broncos would blow the contest out of proportion with three goals in 10 minutes, starting with a goal from Cunningham after she won a one-on-one in the box and gained possession, giving her an open shot at the goal and giving O’Malley no chance to make a save.
Cunningham would get her third goal with a great run from the midfield line and a great ball, giving the Kent State transfer her first career hat trick of the 2024 season.
The MAC’s leading goal scorer, Jen Blitchok, would add her 12th goal of the season off a penalty kick, bringing the Bronco lead to 4-0 before the conclusion of the first half.
An uneventful second half would conclude a first-half walloping as Western Michigan continued to control the pace, playing slow and winding down the clock on a shocked Bowling Green team.
O’Malley impressed in the second half, making back-to-back diving saves on threatening Bronco chances in the 72nd minute.
The clock would tick down on a Bowling Green loss that is sure to hurt the confidence of a team that will no longer be tied for second place in the MAC after the full day of results concludes.
Western Michigan continues its hot streak, and this statement win makes them one of the clear MAC favorites, as both sides of the ball shined in a dominant win.
Bowling Green will look to rebound from the loss in a battle with the Buffalo Bulls (8-1-3, 3-1-1) on Sunday, Oct. 13 at Cochrane Stadium.
