Senior Day at Cochrane Stadium ended dramatically Sunday afternoon, as junior defender Gabby Lamparty scored the game-tying goal with just 25 seconds remaining to lift Bowling Green (8-2-8, 3-1-6) to a 1-1 draw with Akron (4-9-4, 1-7-3).
The match was a physical battle throughout, featuring 24 fouls and three yellow cards, with both sides frustrated by officiating at times. Akron struck first when senior defender Rielly Chesna found the net just eight minutes in, but the Falcons dominated possession from there, outshooting the Zips 12-7 and putting six shots on goal to Akron’s one.
Though Bowling Green generated several chances, the pressure mounted in the final minutes as the Falcons looked to avoid their first loss to Akron since 2018 and keep their postseason hopes alive. Lamparty’s late strike not only preserved the streak but also earned Bowling Green a crucial point in the race for a Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament berth heading into the final match of the regular season.
“We knew we needed four points in the last two games,” head coach Chris Fox said. “We were hoping today was gonna be 3 points so that we didn’t have it all to do in the last game of the season, but, you know, we’ll take the point.”
Fox added that Lamparty’s determination in the final moments captured what the team needed in a must-get result.
“I think that was kind of the thing that I was impressed the most about was her just finding a way, just a will to just get in there, stuck in, and put the ball in the back of the net,” Fox said. “Gabby’s a tremendous soccer player, a tremendous leader.”
Lamparty said she was simply focused on finishing the chance and keeping the season alive.
“Emma [Stransky] had a great touch and turn, and put the ball in a spot where I could get on the end of it,” Lamparty said. “We’re not happy with the tie, but we’re happy with the result.”
The Falcons now sit tied with Eastern Michigan for the sixth and final qualifying spot after the Eagles’ 3-2 win over Northern Illinois.
BGSU will close the regular season on Wednesday on the road against UMass, while Eastern Michigan faces last-place in the MAC Central Michigan, setting up a tense finish to determine which team advances to Historic Crew Stadium for next week’s conference tournament.
