BOWLING GREEN, OHIO – Bowling Green (1-0) capitalized on just four shots on goal, knocking in three to send the St. Bonaventure men's soccer team (0-1) home with a tough 3-0 loss in their season opener.
The Bonnies managed more shots (16-15), and more shots on goal (8-4) but could not find the back of the net in this one. Bowling Green goalkeeper Michael Wiest made eight saves to secure the shutout for the Falcons.
Preseason All-MAC Team selection Danny Baraldi fired home the first goal for the Falcons on an assist from Anthony Grant in the 20th minute for his first score of the season. BGSU would take that 1-0 advantage into halftime.
The pace of play picked up early in the second half but the momentum did not shift until late in the second half
A foul on St. Bonaventure in the 70th minute resulted in a penalty kick for the Falcons. Bowling Green made it count to take a 2-0 lead and control of the game. SBU committed just 10 fouls to the Falcons' 13 in the game. BGSU closed the door in the 80th minute when Ryan Comisky connected for his first goal of the season on an assist from Chris McLean to give the Falcons a 3-0 lead.
"There's no doubt we were the better team tonight." Said SBU head coach Mel Mahler. "It's one of those losses we have to learn to live. Some calls just didn't go our way."
Junior Brad Vanino led the offensive charge for the Bonnies playing 89 minutes and firing five shots with three being on goal. Juniors Daniel Iannacito and James Reed each mustered two shots of their own to no avail.
"We're encouraged." Mahler said of his young team. "It's one game, we have a lot to be proud of and still have a lot of work to do. Hopefully we can get out there and get one against Buffalo."
The Bonnies will be back in action looking for their first win when they visit Big 4 rival University at Buffalo Tuesday (Aug. 28). Kick-off for that game will be at 7:00 p.m.
GAME NOTES: This was the first meeting between these two teams since Sept. 5, 2004. St. Bonaventure came away with a 4-1 victory at home that day. SBU head coach Mel Mahler served as the head coach at Bowling Green from 1995-2003. While there he led the Falcons to three NCAA Tournament appearances (1995-96-97), three regular season Mid-American Conference championships (1996, 2000, 2002) and three MAC tournament titles (1995-96-97).
