BOWLING GREEN, OH – Toledo returned to its winning ways with a 2-0 triumph over arch-rival Bowling Green on Sunday in Mid-American Conference action at Cochrane Field. The victory was the Rockets' second in their last three matches and improves the Midnight Blue & Gold to 5-9-0 overall, 2-4-0 in the league.
UT took advantage of a pair of second-half goals within a span of 32 seconds to extend its unbeaten streak to eight-consecutive matches (6-0-2 ledger) against the Falcons (0-11-1, 0-5-1 MAC), dating back to 2007. The four-time MAC Tournament champion Rockets also blanked their arch rivals for a fourth time during this umblemished stretch.
Senior Rachel MacLeod and freshman Kiersten Johnson registered scores at the 71:52 and 72:24 marks in the second stanza, respectively.
"I'm proud of the team for the grit they showed today," Head Coach Brad Evans said. "We kept with the game plan and saw some players make the important plays we've been talking about. Sam (Tiongson) made a big save off a deflection in the first half proved to be pivotal and scoring two goals only 32 seconds apart was tremendous. Rachel and KJs finishes were well taken and Brooke's (Maletic) assist on KJ's goal was outstanding."
MacLeod tallied the eventual match-winning score when she made a long run down the pitch and cut across the BGSU goalbox before firing a shot just inside the far post for her team-high 10th goal of the season. The 2011 MAC Offensive Player of the Year has now registered a marker in seven of the 14 matches in 2013.
Toledo then doubled its lead 32 seconds later when Johnson found the back of the net for her third marker of the year. The Cincinnati, OH native received a nice pass from classmate Brooke Maletic and found herself all alone behind the BGSU defense. Johnson gained compsoure over the ball and hit a shot into the lower left corner of the frame to set the final difference at 2-0.
The Falcons' best chance to score came with just over two minutes remaining in the first stanza. After a foul on the Rockets near midfield, BGSU's Paige Amodio took the ensuing free kick and fired a long ball toward goal. The ball skimmed off the top of the head of a leaping UT player in the penalty area, and sophomore goalie Sam Tiongson was forced to tip the shot off the crossbar. After hitting the bar, the ball caromed up into the air and Tiongson was able to make the catch when it came down.
UT finished with a 14-4 advantage in shots and 5-2 edge in corner kicks. MacLeod paced the attack with a contest-best five shots, while junior Kirsten Catloth, sophomore Megan Connor and sophomore Geri Siudzinski fired off two shots each. No player for BGSU had more than one shot in the MAC cross-division showdown.
Between the posts, Tiongson was called upon to make two stops en route to earning her third shutout in 2013.
The Rockets return to action on Friday, Oct. 18 when they travel to MAC West Division leader Ball State. The opening whistle against the Cardinals is slated for 4:00 p.m. at the Briner Sports Complex.
TOLEDO 2, Bowling Green 0
UT: R. MacLeod (Unassisted), 71:52
UT: K. Johnson (B. Maletic), 72:24
SHOTS: UT 14, BGSU 4
CORNER KICKS: UT 5, BGSU 2
SAVES: UT 2, BGSU 8
