The Falcons celebrate a goal by Lauren Mahoney, her second of the match, early in the second half. (Avery Zuercher | BGSU Athletics)
Freshman Lauren Mahoney scored two goals in her collegiate debut, propelling the Bowling Green State University women’s soccer team to a 3-1 win over the University of Detroit Mercy Thursday night in the regular-season opener for both teams at Cochrane Stadium.
BGSU junior Brynn Gardner (Anthony Wayne) had a goal and an assist for the Falcons (1-0), who scored three-straight goals after falling behind in the eighth minute of the match.
The win came in the BGSU debut of head coach Chris Fox, who assumed the Falcon helm in December of 2023.
In her first collegiate game, Mahoney didn’t take long to make her presence felt. She raced past a defender to tap home a low left-side cross by Alaina Uncapher.
That goal, with just over four minutes remaining in the first half, came just over two minutes after Mahoney had checked into the match for the first time.
Then, just over two minutes into the second half, Mahoney scored what would prove to be the winner. After a Gardner cross was blocked, the ball came to Mahoney on the right side of the penalty area.
She took several touches and neatly tucked the ball into the lower right corner, between diving UDM goalkeeper Marisa Silver and the post.
Gardner gave the Falcons some insurance with a clinical finish in the center of the box, after a nifty through ball by freshman Lilly Boebel.
Madison Vukas made four saves in goal to earn the win for the Falcons.
