Second half surge helps BG earn 1-1 tie

Bowlling Green’s Josie Rigel pushes the ball up the sideline midway through the second half of Wednesday’s 1-1 tie with Springfield inside Bobcat Stadium. (Nicholas Huenefeld | Sentinel-Tribune)

By Nicholas Huenefeld

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

Alayna Mahan’s second-half goal highlighted a 1-1 tie between Bowling Green and Springfield on Wednesday night at Bobcat Stadium.

“We started off rough again,” BGHS coach Erika Kimple said. “Springfield earned their goal, but our first 20 minutes weren’t good. We were giving the ball away, we weren’t playing our style, and we weren’t playing simple possession. After that, I thought we really controlled the game.”

Springfield’s Macy DeRaedt gave her team the lead 21:32 into the match, which highlighted a first half that saw the visitors produce seven shots, including six on goal.

In comparison, BG managed just two shots, which came on a pair of wide shots from Claire Rieman in the 12th minute and Corinna Kramer in the 35th minute.

The Bobcats (7-8-2, 5-3-2 NLL) had a few near attempts in the first 40 minutes, including a scramble that was cleared in front of the net in the final 30 seconds after a strong throw-in from Mahan.

Springfield then almost took a two-goal lead with 3:45 left, but BG’s goalkeeper, Yari Corado, deflected a shot high and off the crossbar before corralling it for good.

Springfield (8-6-3, 4-4-2 NLL) had two more shots saved in the first 10 minutes of the second half, but that was it for them as BG controlled possession the rest of the way.

“We just started talking more,” Kimple said. “We had a little more desire to keep the ball, we didn’t panic, just settled it to the ground, communicated, let each other know where our passing options were, and then just kept it simple.

“We didn’t try to force it. We didn’t try to play kick ball. We just went back to our style of play.”

BG had a few chances after Mahan’s goal with 19:38 remaining.

Kylah Crawford’s shot was saved with 16:19 left, which preceded a great look from Akimai Cullison, who drilled a shot toward the right side of the net, but Springfield’s goalkeeper, Brynne Murphy, laid out for a diving, two-handed save with 7:53 left.

In the final five minutes, the Bobcats had a pair of shots sail high, including Rieman’s second shot of the half and third overall.

Wednesday’s tie was the second of the season between BG and Springfield, who also tied 2-2 on Sept. 11.

Mahan’s goal was assisted by Cullison.

“Kimple has always told me to play behind the girl and make a good run, and that’s kind of what I did (on the goal),” Mahan said. “Akimai played a great ball. I did what she told me to do, and it worked.”

Furthermore, it was Mahan’s 22nd goal of the season, which extends her single-season program record.

“I couldn’t have done it without my team,” she said. “They’ve been a great help. Kimple gave me the pointers. She helped me score those goals. I’m proud of myself, my team and my coach.”

Kimple said the sophomore has really improved her decision making.

“Last year, our whole style of play and concept was new to her,” Kimple said. “She was used to us playing it long, chasing it and just shooting it. Now we’re teaching her how to build with the ball, play back to goal, sometimes lay it off, make different styles of runs and just read the spaces a little bit better.

Last year, she struggled learning it, which a lot of freshmen do. This year, something clicked. And it took a while, but I really like the style she’s playing. She’s always been a direct kid who wants to go to goal and score, which is great, but I really like that her decision making is there now. I think that’s helped the whole team.”

Kimple was also pleased with the continued strong play of Elena Kramer, a senior defender who is playing out of position at centerback due to injuries.

“She’s really held it down,” Kimple said. “She’s not a centerback, she’s an outside back. All year, she’s tucked into that spot. She’s become a true leader. She knows how to get forward, she’s physical, and she wins everything. She’s our game changer in the back. I’ve been pretty impressed with her.”

The Bobcats have now concluded the regular season and will prepare to face Waite on Oct. 16 at home in a Division III sectional game. A win could see them face Springfield a third time on Oct. 23, which would be held at Lake High School.

“That would be kind of frustrating,” Kimple said. “I hate seeing the same team three times. I wish we could see someone else, but we’ve tied them twice. I feel pretty good about next week against Waite, but we’ll have to work hard.”