Women's Soccer Opens Conference Play With Commanding 2-0 Win Over Ohio

Friday, September 23

Bowling Green, Ohio

7:00 p.m.

Bowling Green State University

6-3-0 (1-0-0MAC)

Ohio

2-5-1 (0-1-0MAC)

Ohio

Bowling Green

Photo by: Larry Clapper

Women's Soccer Opens Conference Play With Commanding 2-0 Win Over Ohio

September 23, 2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Jenna Jorgensen (Assistant Director of Athletic Communications)

Box Score
Photo Gallery

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green women's soccer program opened Mid-American Conference play with a decisive 2-0 victory over Ohio Friday evening at Cochrane Stadium.

In the Falcons shutout of the Bobcats, redshirt sophomore Erica Hubert found the back of the net for the game winner, while junior Skylar Fleak scored for the fourth match in a row to make it a 2-0 final.

After a scoreless first half, the Falcons came out with nine attempted shots, ultimately leading to a match total of 13. Hubert accounted for five of the Falcons attempted shots, and capitalized in the 51st minute for her fourth game-winner of the season. After receiving a through ball from freshman Chelsee Washington, Hubert came in low on the right side of the goal, and beat the keeper to tuck the ball in the lower left corner of the net.

"This builds a lot of confidence, and it's kind of a monkey off the back," Bowling Green women's soccer head coach Lindsay Basalyga said. "When you start transitioning from non-conference to conference play, there are a bit of nerves, and for us to get the win it's a matter of continuing to build confidence."

It wasn't until the 76th minute that Fleak solidified the win for Bowling Green with a goal headed into the top part of the net. Fleak took advantage of the ball put into scoring position by freshman Maureen Kennedy, who took a free kick from nearly centerfield. With the goal, Fleak is now tied for the second-longest match scoring streak in the Bowling Green women's soccer history.

"Skylar really came out of her shell about three weeks ago. We challenged her to step up and she's had a lot of energy in her training," Coach Basalyga said of the Sunbury, Ohio native. "That's where it starts; her training habits have been excellent in the last three weeks compared to the start of preseason, and I think because of that, it has helped raise the bar for everyone around her."

Critical to the Bowling Green defense was freshman goalkeeper Kathleen Duwve, who recorded four saves on the night, and earned her second career shutout. Duwve faced 10 attempted shots by the Bobcats in her third start of the season.

The best scoring chance in the match for Ohio came early in the 15th minute, as the Bobcats attacked with two shots on goal that were defended with Bowling Green team saves. Although Ohio did not have many chances throughout the remainder of the match, there were quality opportunities continually shut down by the Bowling Green defense.

Later in the second half, the Falcons defense made two smart plays with which Ohio players were called offsides, keeping the Bobcats scoreless through the 90 minutes.

In the MAC opening win, the Falcons held the advantage in shots (13-10), corner kicks (3-1) and saves (6-3) over the Bobcats.

"We had a game plan coming into tonight and I think we certainly executed that. We were really patient and disciplined in the defensive side of the ball and we found moments to counter," Coach Basalyga added. "We're going to enjoy how this feels tonight and then tomorrow morning we'll wake up and start preparing for Kent State."

The Bowling Green women's soccer program will continue Mid-American Conference play at home on Sunday, Sept. 25 as it welcomes Kent State to Cochrane Stadium for a 1 p.m. matchup.