Spartans Squeak By Falcons, 2-1

Friday, September 1

Bowling Green, OH

7:00PM

Bowling Green State University

2-2-0

Michigan State

3-2-0

MSU

Bowling Green

Photo by: Larry Clapper

September 01, 2017 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: by Matthew Daley, Athletic Communicationis Assistant

LINKS
Photo Gallery (Larry Clapper)
Photo Gallery (BGSU Marketing & Communications)
Box Score (PDF)
Box Score (Enhanced)
Updated BGSU Statistics
MAC Women's Soccer Statistics
NCAA Women's Soccer Statistics
2017 BGSU Record Book
Detroit Mercy Women's Soccer (next opponent)

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Maureen Kennedy converted her third career penalty kick, but it was not enough to overcome a two-goal deficit as the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team fell to the Michigan State Spartans 2-1 on Friday night (Sept. 1). The game was the Falcons' first of 2017 at Cochrane Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio.

The Falcons could not score during the first half despite taking ten shots, five of which were saved by MSU goalkeeper Reilley Ott. The Spartans scored the eventual game-winner when Jamie Cheslik slipped past the defense and scored from the box in the 38th minute. BGSU fell behind 2-0 with 13:05 left but closed the gap in the 88th minute when Marissa Swindell was fouled in the box, which gave Kennedy a penalty kick opportunity. Kennedy scored to create the final 2-1 margin.

COACH SAYS…
Following the match, BGSU head coach Matt Fannon said, "If there's one thing I have learned about our team over the first three weeks of the season, it's that we are capable of winning any game on our schedule. We are 2-2 right now, but we feel like we could have done better. Our job now is to learn how to win games like this."

PENALTY KICKS ARE A KENNEDY SPECIALTY
Maureen Kennedy's penalty kick goal was the Falcons' 21st all-time in 24 attempts (..875), while opponents have scored on only 16 of 29 (.552) penalty kick chances. Kennedy, a sophomore defender from Cypress, Calif., now has three goals from penalty kicks in just 21 career games. Those account for 60 percent of her five career goals. She is tied for second-most in BGSU history and needs one to tie the co-record holders Beth Wechsler (78 matches played) and Colleen Kordan (83 MP).

OFFENSE ON THE PROWL
There's no question that BGSU has ramped up their aggression on offense in 2017. For the third time In four games, the Falcons out-shot their opponent. On Friday, Bowling Green attempted 17 shots to nine by Michigan State and owned a 7-4 shots-on-goal advantage. This follows shot advantages of 25-5 against Morehead State and 11-8 against Oakland. In 2017, BGSU has taken 62 shots to just 40 by their opponents. They also hold a better conversion percentage (.129 vs .125) and a better shots-on-goal percentage (.435 vs .375).

UP NEXT
Bowling Green plays twice next week against Horizon League opponents. First, the Falcons travel to Detroit, Mich. on Wednesday, Sept. 6 for a match against the Detroit Mercy Titans. The Titans started the season with a scoreless draw versus Toledo and wins of 3-0 (Fort Wayne) and 5-0 (Lawrence Tech). However, they have since lost road games to Pittsburgh (3-0) and Northern Arizona (1-0). Detroit plays Grand Canyon on Sunday before returning home.

Following that match, BGSU returns home to Cochrane Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 10, when they will play the Wright State Raiders. That match will mark Senior Day for the 2017 Falcons. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m., with Senior Day festivities taking place on the pitch prior to the contest.