IPFW Falls to Bowling Green, 3-0 in Ohio

Wednesday, August 31

Bowling Green, Ohio

6:00 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

1-2-0

Bowling Green

2-0-0

IPFW

Bowling Green

The Mastodon offense fired six shots on the road against Bowling Green on Wednesday

8/31/2011 7:50:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Box Score

Bowling Green, OH – Despite a better defensive effort in the second half, the IPFW men's soccer team allowed three first half goals and couldn't find its rhythm in the final frame against Bowling Green on Wednesday evening, falling to the Falcons, 3-0 in Bowling Green, Ohio.

With the loss, IPFW is now 1-2-0 this season. Bowling Green, who recently defeated top-ranked programs Butler and Michigan a week ago, improves to 3-0-0.

Featuring a similar starting lineup that played Bradley to a close contest last Sunday, the Mastodons had trouble slowing down one of the nation's best offenses early on Wednesday, as the Falcons found holes in the 'Don defense and took advantage.

After firing the game's first two shots, the Falcons reached the scoreboard in the 13th minute, when Rodcliff Hall blasted his first goal of the season to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

At the 33rd minute mark, Bowling Green netted its second goal, this time when Ryan Comisky scored off a double-pass in the IPFW box, making the score 2-0.

Down a pair of goals, IPFW attempted to get back in the contest in the 39th minute, when Colin Helmrich fired an open look in Falcon territory. The shot, however, was saved by Falcon goalkeeper Michael Wiest.

Unfortunately for gritty Mastodons, the home team wasn't finished in the first frame. With just under four minutes left until halftime, the Falcons tallied another goal off a Zach Lemke one-timer into the IPFW net. At the break, the home team held a commanding 3-0 advantage.

In the second half, the 'Dons returned to the field with a new goalkeeper, freshman Brandon Cloutier, in hopes of finding a spark with 45 minutes to play. The move, though, didn't pay off.

While the Mastodons didn't allow a goal in the final period, Bowling Green stayed course and forced IPFW out sink on the offensive end. The visitors only mustered three shots, one coming from Helmrich and the other from Liridon Qafleshi, which was blocked.

As time ticked away in the contest, the Falcons played conservatively the rest of the way, holding on to the 3-0 victory.

For the match, Helmrich led IPFW with three shots, all of which were on goal. Qafleshi and Danny Ly each fired a shot, while Jason Mills blasted an attempt. The Falcon offense fired 20 shots in the game to IPFW's six.

The Mastodons will look to return to the winner's circle when they return home for their next contest on Sunday, Sept. 4 against Nebraska-Omaha. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m. EST.

~Dons~