Falcons Down UB to Move to 2-0-0 in the MAC

Sunday, September 29

Bowling Green, OH

1:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

4-4-2, 2-0-0

Buffalo

4-4-1, 1-1-0

Buffalo

Bowling Green

Sophia Barnes Nikki Cox goal celebration - Sept 29 2019

Sophia Barnes congratulates Nikki Cox (9) after Cox's goal early in the second half

Photo by: Isaiah Vazquez/BGSU Athletics

September 29, 2019 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Final Stats BGSU-UB Photo Gallery (Isaiah Vazquez)BGSU-UB Highlights Nikki Cox Post-Match Interview Matt Fannon Post-Match Interview Photo Gallery

Nikki Cox scores early in the second half to break 1-1 tie

By: BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (BGSU Athletic Communications)

Redshirt junior Nikki Cox scored early in the second half to break a 1-1 tie and lift the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team to a 2-1 win over the University at Buffalo Sunday afternoon (Sept. 29). The Mid-American Conference match was held at a blustery Cochrane Stadium.

On Senior Day, fourth-year Falcon Maureen Kennedy also scored for BGSU (4-4-2, 2-0-0 MAC), as the Brown and Orange dominated the opening half. BG had possession of the ball for roughly 65 percent of the time in that first half, and had a 7-2 lead in first-half shots. But, the Bulls made the most of their chances, as Gianna Yurchak headed home a free kick to tie the score with under three minutes remaining before the intermission.

Cox, however, scored her team-leading fourth goal of the year just over two minutes into the second half, and that goal proved to be the game-winner.

BGSU had advantages of 12-5 in shot attempts, 9-3 in shots on goal and 6-1 in corner kicks.

NOTE(S) OF THE DAY
• Sunday's win extended the Falcons' school-record home unbeaten streak to 15 matches. BGSU is now 13-0-2 at Cochrane Stadium since a 1-0, double-overtime setback to Xavier on Sept. 6, 2018.
• The Falcons now have a record of 21-3-2 in home matches since Matt Fannon assumed the head-coaching helm prior to the 2017 season. In those 26 contests, BGSU has outscored the opponents, 56-19.
• BGSU is now 15-1-1 in home matches (regular-season and tournament) against MAC foes in the Fannon Era, having outscored the opposition, 37-13, in those games.
• The Falcons are unbeaten in the last 16 home matches vs. MAC schools (15-0-1) since a 2-1 loss to Ball State in Fannon's first-ever MAC matchup (Sept. 22, 2017).

FIRST-HALF HIGHLIGHTS
• 8' | The Falcons briefly appeared to have taken an early lead, but the play was nullified due to an offside call. Freshman Kennedy White took a pass from senior Hannah Dolfuss on the right side of the field, and hit a cross into the box. That ball found fellow freshman Katie Cox, who played a pass back to her sister, redshirt junior Nikki Cox. Nikki hit a shot from near the 18-yard line, that was saved by UB goalkeeper Emily Kelly. Katie Cox was first to the rebound, and hit a shot from the six-yard line that found the far lower corner, but after a brief discussion between the center referee and an assistant referee, the goal was waved off.
• 11' | GOAL | Just over two minutes later, the ball found the back of the net, and this time, the goal stood. Senior Chelsee Washington took possession of the ball near midfield in front of the BG bench, made a move to get around one Buffalo player, then blew past several others as she headed down the left side. She crossed the ball to White, who was unceremoniously dumped as she neared the penalty area. A free kick was awarded, approximately 19 yards from the end line just left of center, and senior Maureen Kennedy blasted that kick into the upper half of the net.
• 17' | The Falcons brought the ball upfield via junior Sophia Barnes, Nikki Cox and Dolfuss. Dolfuss took a pass from Nikki Cox in the center of the field and, as she headed toward the penalty area, the senior lofted a ball toward Katie Cox, who was entering the area on the left side. But, as the younger Cox prepared to fire a shot, the play was blown dead due to an offside call.
• 23' | Nikki Cox received a pass in the center circle, made a run and blasted a shot from approximately 30 yards out. The ball was headed for the upper 90, but Kelly was able to leap and tip it over the crossbar at the last second, and a foul was called on the Falcons as the ensuing corner kick was played into the box.
• 43' | GOAL | The Falcons had the first seven shots of the afternoon, putting five on goal, before UB finally took a shot (that went well wide) nearly 40 minutes in. But, the Bulls' first shot on goal proved to be a good one. After a BG foul on the right side of the field, Gurjeena Jandu's free kick was headed home by Gianna Yurchak. Yurchak's header from the six-yard line was perfect, finding the upper-left-hand corner of the goal, and the match was tied at the half.

SECOND-HALF HIGHLIGHTS
• 48' | GOAL | BG struck just 2:07 into the second half. Sophomore Mackenzie Reuber fired a cross/shot from the right side that was batted away by a leaping Kelly. A UB defender headed the ball out of the box, but Washington was first to it. The senior won a challenge, then lofted a ball toward Nikki Cox on the other side of the penalty area. Washington's pass was deflected by a Buffalo player, but Cox volleyed the ball out of the air before it hit the ground. Kelly, who had come off of her line when the ball was deflected into the air, actually got a piece of the Cox shot, but could not keep it from bouncing into the goal.
• 61' | Sophomore Alexis Miller played a long ball ahead for White, who cut back to elude a defender, then fired a shot that was knocked out of play for a corner kick. But, on the windy day, the ensuing corner hit the outside netting of the goal.
• 65' | Off of a corner kick by freshman Jasmijn Dijsselhof, Washington got her head on the ball and put a forceful shot on frame. But, Kelly was able to make a reaction save, and a UB defender cleared the rebound out of the penalty area.
• 80' | Falcon senior goalkeeper broke up a Buffalo scoring chance, diving to the ground to smother a shot/cross off of the boot of Taylor Caridi.
• 84' | Off of a Dolfuss throw-in near the team benches, Miller played a ball ahead to Nikki Cox. Cox cut inside, bringing the ball from right to left just outside the penalty area. She drew several defenders to her, and looked to play a pass to Washington, who was running all alone down the center of the field. But, a UB player got her boot on the ball to prevent Washington from a one-on-one opportunity with Kelly.
• 86' | UB's Tess Ford played a spinning ball from the top of the box toward the left side of the goal. A Bulls teammate ran toward it, but could not get a foot on the ball. The ball spun toward the goal line, but Duwve made a diving save to preserve BG's one-goal lead, and that Ford effort proved to be the final shot of the match.

FALCON NOTES
• Sunday was Senior Day, with the program's seven seniors recognized in ceremonies prior to the match. That group includes Hannah Dolfuss, Kathleen Duwve, Monica Florez, Maureen Kennedy, Rachel Muller, Kristin Tveit and Chelsee Washington.
• It was also Dog Day at Cochrane Stadium, with a large number of four-legged Falcon fans in attendance.
• Nikki Cox's second-half goal held up as the game-winning goal, giving her four career GWG as a Falcon. All four have come against MAC opponents at Cochrane Stadium. Cox scored the winner in back-to-back regular-season matches against Eastern Michigan and Kent State last season, then scored both BG goals in a MAC Tournament quarterfinal-round win over EMU.
• Cox now has a total of 30 points in 32 matches as a Falcon, with 12 goals and six assists. She leads the team with four goals and 11 points this year.
• Senior Maureen Kennedy scored her third goal of the season on Sunday, moving her into a tie with Kennedy White for second on the team in that department. Kennedy now has seven points on the year, trailing only Nikki Cox.
• With her goal, Kennedy became only the ninth BGSU player to reach the 50-point plateau for her career. Kennedy now has 51 points as a Falcon, tying her for seventh place with Corbie Yee (2005-08) on that school list.
• Kennedy now has 13 goals, and has moved into sole possession of 12th place on that BG list. Nikki Cox, in just her second year with the Falcons, is tied for 13th with her 12 goals.
• Senior Chelsee Washington's assist on Sunday was the 18th of her career. She is now tied with Leah Eggleton (2002-05) for sixth in BGSU history.
• Washington now has five game-winning assists as a Falcon. Her last three have come on goals by Nikki Cox (both of last year's wins over EMU as well as Sunday vs. UB).
• Kennedy is now third in school history in career points scored at Cochrane Stadium. She has scored 34 points in home matches. Washington is tied for fifth with 31 points at Cochrane. Kristy Coppes (2001-04) holds the record with 60 points in home matches, followed by Erica Hubert (59 from 2015-18), Kennedy and Samantha Meister (32 from 2002-05). Washington is tied with Jill Conover (31 from 1999-2002) for fifth on that chart.
• Washington has six points this season, including a team-high four assists.
• With her two wins in goal this weekend, senior Kathleen Duwve now has 22 career victories, the fourth-highest total in school history. Duwve ranks fifth or higher on all of BGSU's career goalkeeping lists.

STATISTICS
• BGSU outshot the Bulls, 12-5, putting nine shots on goal to UB's three. Nikki Cox led all players with four shot attempts, and all four were on frame. She scored the game-winning goal in the 48th minute.
• Senior Kathleen Duwve made two saves in net for the Falcons, while Emily Kelly had seven stops for Buffalo.
• BGSU had a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.
• A total of 19 players saw action for the Falcons, with Duwve and freshman Audrey Shea playing all 90 minutes. Sophomore Alexis Miller played 78 minutes, senior Chelsee Washington 76 and Nikki Cox and senior Hannah Dolfuss 74 apiece.

WHAT'S NEXT?
• The Falcons hit the road for three of the next four matches, including a pair next weekend. BGSU will travel to Northeast Ohio for a Friday (Oct. 4) matchup with Kent State. That match will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Dix Stadium.
• Then, the Brown and Orange will venture to Athens for a Sunday (Oct. 6) contest vs. Ohio. First touch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. BGSU's next home game is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 10, against Central Michigan.

FOLLOW THE FALCONS
• For more information on the women's soccer program, follow the Falcons on Twitter (@BGAthletics and @bgsuwsoc), Instagram (bgsuwsoc) and Facebook (bgsuwsoc) as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.