The BG women’s soccer team fell to both Ohio University and Kent State University on their opening weekend of Mid-American Conference play. The Falcons lost 3-1 to Ohio on Friday night and 5-1 to Kent State Sunday afternoon.
Bowling Green senior Kaitlyn Tobin scored an early first-half goal for the Falcons in Athens, but Ohio’s second-half comeback proved to be too much for BG to handle. All of Ohio’s three goals came in the second half, two of which were only about two minutes apart. The Bobcats dominated in shots taken throughout the match, taking a total of 21 to BG’s 5. Ohio also tallied 15 corner kicks, whereas Bowling Green had none. Ohio advanced to 5-2-2 on the season and 1-0-0 in the MAC, and with the win against BG added to its now six game winning streak.
Tobin’s goal, which came just before the nine minute mark in the first half, marked the first goal allowed by the Bobcats in nearly 290 minutes of action.
Head coach Lindsay Basalyga attributes the Bobcats’ second-half comeback to moments of failed disciplinary defense by the Falcons.
“We played a really good first half of soccer today,” said Basalyga. “But, we became undisciplined defensively at moments in the second half and Ohio found a way to capitalize. We are still trying to find the right combination of players to compete for 90 minutes consistently.”
The Falcons lost their second game of the weekend, falling to Kent State 5-1. BG senior Madeline Wideman scored the lone goal of the game for the Falcons in the second half. Compared to their match at Ohio, the Falcons managed to get off more shots but the Golden Flashes still had a 27-16 advantage. Kent State scored two goals in the first half, and three in the second. Kent advanced to 6-4-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the MAC. BG’s starting goalkeeper, Lauren Cadel, who typically plays an entire match and ranks among the top 10 in the nation in saves per game, was replaced by freshman Michelle Denley early on. Cadel made one save and allowed two goals in her 22:01 minutes of play. In her collegiate regular-season debut, Denley recorded three saves and allowed three goals. This game presented many firsts for the Falcons, as Basalyga said.
“We were presented with our first challenge of the season, being 2-0 down at the half,” Basalyga said. “This was our first Friday/Sunday split of the year, and although I don’t think our fitness was an issue, our mentality to prepare for the second game of the weekend wasn’t good enough.”
The Falcons, now 0-8-0 overall and 0-2-0 in the MAC, will return to Cochrane Field with a pair of home matches next weekend. BG will take on Eastern Michigan Friday, Oct. 4 and Western Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 6.
