BOWLING GREEN, OH: Bowling Green men’s soccer hosted No. 14 Western Michigan, the only undefeated team in NCAA DI, on Friday night in their final Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) matchup.
The two teams entered the match tied for fourth in the conference standings, with 10 points each.
Bowling Green started strong, putting pressure on the Broncos early on. A free kick by senior captain midfielder Alberto Anaya nearly sailed in the top corner but was kept out by WMU senior goalkeeper Colin Welsh.
Anaya stepped up for another free kick after a 34’ foul by WMU at the top corner of the 18-yard box. The ball sailed across the face of the goal, weaving through both teams and into the back corner of the net.
“I thought we dominated in the first half,” stated junior forward Trace Terry. “It was just a matter of time before the goal came, and when we got it, we knew we could handle these guys, and we did.”
The match remained relatively even throughout the rest of the first half, the scoreline remaining 1-0 going into the break.
The Orange and Brown carried their momentum into the second half, creating multiple chances early on.
Junior forward Andrew Shaffer nearly scored in the 58’, curling a shot towards the top right corner, but it was tipped over the bar by Welsh.
In the 79’, Terry broke into the final third, avoiding two Bronco defenders and smashing the ball into the net, doubling BG’s lead.
After two crucial saves by graduate captain goalkeeper Brendan Graves, junior forward Bennett Painter secured the win with a goal off a cross by sophomore forward Jake Lane.
Both Terry and Painter netted their 11th goals of the season against the Broncos, both ranking in the top 15 nationally for total goals.
“An incredible performance by everybody on the field, just working their tails off,” said Graves after the match. “We’ll keep the momentum going on to Oregon State next week, but more importantly, into the tournament.”
With this victory, the Falcons snap Western Michigan’s 37-game unbeaten streak and secure a home game in the MVC tournament.
Next, the Falcons travel to Oregon State for their final regular-season game on Nov. 10 at 10 p.m.
