As a first year student/sport nut, I admit i didnt know what to expect from our Falcon teams this fall. I came into the season with a strong optimism and pride. I leave it slightly concerned but overall pretty satisfied. Here's my takes, sport-by-sport:
RUGBY- As an incoming freshman I barely knew what this sport was, but as I learned more about BG rugby and the success they have had, i was quick to try and learn a few things. Yes, yes i know its not an "official" sport, but when you talk BG you’re foolish not to mention the ruggers. Yet another undefeated regular-season, pretty much a given to most. One of the interesting things about this year is the team's tour in Africa. They played some of the best rugby teams in the world, and came out pretty well off. While they lost all but one game, all their opponents had nothing but good things to say about BG. Thats very impressive to me, and will hopefully be some key experience to help lead us to a National Title this year, and several more years to come. I urge everyone to make a trip out to the rugby field, if not this season then next. I realize it is a very confusing sport, i dont even understand a lot of it, but when you have a team that is this good, how could you not want to be a part of it?? Overall, rugby will definitely be one of the sports to watch in coming years. They show no sign of shrinking talent, so let the dynasty continue!!!!!!!
Reg. Season Record: 10-0
Interesting Fact: BG is 1663 - 358 – 82 all-time. WOW!!!
MEN'S SOCCER- Ok, so this was not a sport I was looking forward to watching. I admit i never really had much respect for soccer as a kid, but it started to grow on me in recent years. And I gotta say, the men's team did little, if nothing, to spark my interest. There were flashes of good potential this season but not much more. When they hung around with Ohio State midway though the year (losing only 1-0) I thought there would be some good to come. But the guys only managed one win in their last 13 games. It just seemed like we were always a few big plays away from that W. Im optimistic that next year we will be improved, but dont expect to see a huge change as far as records are concerned. One positive is we are a very young team that can learn and improve a lot!! We should win a few more games next year. At best we should be middle of the pack in the MAC. More likely, we will be in the bottom 3 once again. But, like i said, gotta be optimistic!!!!! Hopefully we can start to return BG to the glory days.
Record: 4-13-2 (0-7-0)
MVP- Chuko Evwaraye (5 goals)
MVS (Most Valuable Senior)- Paul Shoemaker (1.82 GAA, Goal, 2 Assists)
Largest Attendance- 318 (vs. Buffalo)
Average Attendance- 209
WOMEN'S SOCCER- Well, these girls got me hooked......on soccer! Contrary to what the men's team did, the ladies have brought a love of soccer to me. This year’s team is just full of stars. The way they fight hard every game, leaving it all on the field, has me rooting for them 24/7. Anyone who says soccer is a pansy sport, hasn’t watched the lady Falcons. I actually found watching women’s soccer more exciting and physical than many BG football games this year! This season BG shut out all but 2 teams at home, and won all but one home contest. All in all, the season was very successful, ending at the semi-final MAC tourney game. The ladies lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Toledo on a goal in the last 5 minutes of the game The loss ended hopes of an NCAA tourney birth. But the spirit and will I saw in the girls is something that cannot be measured in terms of wins and losses. They truly are great reps for BG and I wish to thank them for a great year. Look for the girls to continue to be successful next year, maybe even knock TSUN off the throne! We return many key players, including our stand out goalie Arsenault. Everyone’s gotta get out next year and catch a soccer game, it can be some exciting stuff!!!!!
Record: 12-6-4 (6-3-2)
MVP- Colleen Kordan (defense, 13 GA) and Alexa Arsenault (0.67 GAA, 11 shut-outs)
MVS- Corbin Yee (6 goals, 4 assists)
MVU (underclassman)- Megan Amann (2 goals, 8 assists)
Special Mention- Alyssa Zuccaro (3 game-winning goals) and Katie Stephenson (Academic All-MAC, only MAC player with a 4.0 GPA, 8 points)
Largest Atendance- 347 (vs. Western in MAC tourney)
Average Attendance- 231
VOLLEYBALL- Another women’s team had a successful fall. The volleyball team finished the year with a loss in the MAC tournament semi-finals to Western. BG did however post 25 wins, and an undefeated MAC home record. This team showed a lot of fight and spirit as well. I was so impressed with the girls all year long. They fought through the early season difficulties (losing 4 in a row) and finished very strong (winning 15 of the next 17 games). There was great chemistry on the team and it showed. Even though the ladies didn’t get a chance to play in the NCAA’s, they have a great season to build on for next year. They beat both the division champs this year and had the 3rd most wins in the MAC. When they were in tight games, they were very successful as well (9-1 in 5 set matches). There were several records set this year. Corey Domek became one of 15 BG players in history to record over 1,000 career kills. Also, Chelsea Meek became the all-time MAC and Bowling Green leader in career digs, with 2,287. She also has a 91 game streak where she has recorded at least 10 digs. This is an NCAA record!!! Every player on the team played this year and all had some great moments. I definitely look forward to next season. We will lose some key players but have much talent to build around. Don’t miss volleyball next year as they aim for a MAC title and beyond.
Record: 25-9 (12-4)
MVP- Kendra Halm (393 kills, 131 blocks)
MVS- Chelsea Meek (663 digs, 69 assists) and Kendra Halm and Meghan Mohr (409 kills, 137 assists)
MVU- Sam Fish (1347 assists)
Largest Attendance- 689 (vs. Miami “Pink Out”)
Average Attendance- 367
GOLF- Although I didn’t see any golf action this season, I have followed both teams closely. If you didn’t know, golf divides the season into two parts: fall and spring. The men’s team has done fairly well, most impressive performance must be a 3rd place finish at the John Piper Invite, here in BG. Matt Schneider managed to win individual honors, the first time ever BG has won individual 1st at the invite. There is some potential for the spring season, and hopefully a strong showing at the MACC. The ladies have not played here in BG yet, but have been successful else where, finishing one shot shy of winning the Huskie Classic. The Falcons also set a new school record for 18 holes, with 298 at the Laker Classic. Look for the ladies to also place well at the MACC.
CROSS COUNTRY- This is one sport that I will never take part in. Not because I don’t like it, but because I cant. I give nothing but respect to all the runners, they are truly athletes. The men’s team had a decent season, with a best finish of 4th at the Mel Brodt Invite. They ended the year 9th at the MACC. The women had a very successful season, beating Toledo, and winning the Falcon Invite. They also placed 3rd in the All-Ohio Championships and 5th in the MACC. They ended the season 15th overall in the Regional Championships.
FOOTBALL- This will be brief. Its been a season of ups and downs. No need to sugar coat it-we choked. So many key games we lost. We had the talent and the ability to be nationally ranked and playing in the MACC. O well, “change” is coming. Only time will tell now.
In conclusion, Fall is an exciting time for sports here at BG. I wish to thank all the athletes who helped make this season a successful one, on and off the field. Even if a team didn’t perform as well as it could have, I still appreciate all the time and effort put forth to make the sport possible. Here’s to a great fall season
and hopefully a good winter one too!!!
)but im an overachiever and taking summer classes. 
