Source: MSUSpartans.com
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:34:00 PM EST
Published: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:40:18 PM EST
Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:34:00 PM EST
Published: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:40:18 PM EST
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Two-second half goals just over two minutes apart helped the Michigan State men's soccer team defeat Bowling Green, 2-1, on Wednesday afternoon at DeMartin Stadium. The win improved MSU's record to 8-4-1 while the Falcons dropped to 2-9-2 on the year.
Junior Jeff Ricondo nearly gave MSU the lead on its first shot of the game when his strike from 30 yards out beat BGSU keeper Dylan Schoettley, but bounced off the crossbar. With the game still scoreless later in the first half, Ricondo set up Spencer Thompson with a ball through the middle, but Thompson missed the net wide.
MSU ended the first half with a handful of scoring opportunities and an 8-3 shot advantage but wasn't able to grab the lead.
"I thought we had good control of the game in the first half, we just didn't attack with urgency," said Spartan head coach Damon Rensing.
The Spartans picked up their intensity in the second half as they finally broke though in the 50th minute and added another goal just over two minutes later.
After coming close early on, it was fitting Ricondo set up Cyrus Saydee for the game's first goal. Saydee took the pass on the right side from beat Schoettley from 14 yards out with a shot to the far side.
"It was an important goal because coach wanted us to come out hard in the second half," Saydee said. "We were too lackadaisical in the first half, so getting one early in the second was good."
Just over two minutes later, the Spartans were right back in the BGSU penalty area and after a flurry of action in front of the net, Ricondo picked up a lose ball and scored his fifth goal of the season.
"Jeff and Cyrus are two of our better attackers and so we need those guys to be all over the field and attacking," Rensing said. "I thought we did a pretty good job with that."
The second Spartan goal proved to be the difference as Bowling Green's Ahmad Smith trimmed the MSU lead to one in the 69th minute with a shot from the left side.
The Falcons kept MSU goalkeeper Avery Steinlage busy down the stretch, as he made six second-half stops to help seal the win.
MSU will host Michigan on Sunday (Oct. 25) at DeMartin Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Sunday will also be Men's Soccer Alumni Day and the Spartans will honor the 2004 Big Ten Championship team at halftime.
Junior Jeff Ricondo nearly gave MSU the lead on its first shot of the game when his strike from 30 yards out beat BGSU keeper Dylan Schoettley, but bounced off the crossbar. With the game still scoreless later in the first half, Ricondo set up Spencer Thompson with a ball through the middle, but Thompson missed the net wide.
MSU ended the first half with a handful of scoring opportunities and an 8-3 shot advantage but wasn't able to grab the lead.
"I thought we had good control of the game in the first half, we just didn't attack with urgency," said Spartan head coach Damon Rensing.
The Spartans picked up their intensity in the second half as they finally broke though in the 50th minute and added another goal just over two minutes later.
After coming close early on, it was fitting Ricondo set up Cyrus Saydee for the game's first goal. Saydee took the pass on the right side from beat Schoettley from 14 yards out with a shot to the far side.
"It was an important goal because coach wanted us to come out hard in the second half," Saydee said. "We were too lackadaisical in the first half, so getting one early in the second was good."
Just over two minutes later, the Spartans were right back in the BGSU penalty area and after a flurry of action in front of the net, Ricondo picked up a lose ball and scored his fifth goal of the season.
"Jeff and Cyrus are two of our better attackers and so we need those guys to be all over the field and attacking," Rensing said. "I thought we did a pretty good job with that."
The second Spartan goal proved to be the difference as Bowling Green's Ahmad Smith trimmed the MSU lead to one in the 69th minute with a shot from the left side.
The Falcons kept MSU goalkeeper Avery Steinlage busy down the stretch, as he made six second-half stops to help seal the win.
MSU will host Michigan on Sunday (Oct. 25) at DeMartin Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Sunday will also be Men's Soccer Alumni Day and the Spartans will honor the 2004 Big Ten Championship team at halftime.
