SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Missouri State University goal with under seven minutes remaining lifted the nationally-ranked Bears past the Bowling Green State University men's soccer team, 2-1, on Sunday night (Oct. 20), in Missouri Valley Conference action at Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium.

Jesus Barea scored the winner for the hosts, who are ranked No. 15 in the nation in the United Soccer Coaches poll.

Fumiya Shiraishi also scored for the league-leading Bears (10-2-1, 5-0-1 MVC). His goal opened the scoring in the 58th minute of play.

But, the Falcons (9-3-2, 3-2-1 MVC) would equalize in the 72nd minute. Senior Alberto Anaya's pass found Bennett Painter, and the sophomore volleyed the ball past MSU goalkeeper Will Lowry to tie the score.

Barea, however, redirected a Victor Wachowicz pass into the net with 6:43 remaining for what would prove to be the game-winning goal.

Brendan Graves made five saves, including several spectacular stops, for the Falcons. One of those saves came on a breakaway by Barea, the MVC's leading scorer, early in the second half.

NOTE OF THE NIGHT
• Sophomore Bennett Painter's goal on Sunday night was his 10th of the season, tying junior Trace Terry for the team lead.
• Bowling Green is currently the only NCAA Division-I team in the nation with two double-digit scorers.

BONUS NOTE OF THE NIGHT
• Senior Alberto Anaya assisted on Painter's goal vs. the Bears. Anaya now has nine assists this season, tying him for second in the nation.
• No Falcon has had more assists in a season since Tate Robertson had 11 in 2018.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• 23' | BGSU goalkeeper Brendan Graves made several impressive saves in the contest. Midway through the first half, he made a tremendous save on Jesus Barea, somehow getting a hand on the striker's redirection of a left-side cross. Barea's momentum carried him toward the right post, and with the ball bouncing his way, he attempted another shot. This time, Kyle Cusimano blocked the ball, and the Falcons cleared the ball out of the box.
• 40' | Graves parried a hard shot by James Jennings from the right side of box, then grabbed the ball on one hop.
• 49 ' | Early in the second half, junior Andrew Shaffer put a cross/shot into the box from the left side. The ball sailed toward the upper 90, and MSU goalkeeper Will Lowry was forced to make a leaping effort and tip the ball over the crossbar.
• 50' | One minute later, Barea got behind the BGSU defense and came in all along on Graves. But, the fifth-year Falcon made a diving stop on the Bears' top scorer.
• 58' | The hosts took the lead on a hard shot by Fumiya Shiraishi on a hard shot from the 18-yard line.
• 59' | Less than a minute after the goal, Trace Terry raced past an MSU defender who was attempting to usher the ball over the goal line, and the BG striker won  a battle for possession. He played a low cross through several Bears and into the box, but it was just out of reach of a lunging effort by freshman Ryko Bodurov.
• 72' | The Falcons tied the score on Bennett Painter's 10th goal of the season. Anthony Hernandez lofted a ball from the right side of the field to Painter, who was facing away from goal in the semicircle just above the 18-yard box. Painter headed the ball back toward Alberto Anaya. Anaya took a touch and quickly played a left-footed pass ahead to Painter, who had raced past his defender on the left side of the box. Painter settled the ball with his left foot, then hit a volley with his right. Lowry attempted to cut down Painter's shooting angle, but the sophomore striker blasted a shot past the 'keeper and into the net.
• 81' | Painter stole the ball from an MSU defender, headed into the box on the right side and fired a hard shot, but it was just wide of the near post.
• 84' | The Bears scored with 6:41 to go. Victor Wachowicz received a throw-in as he ran toward the end line, and played a low cross from the right side. Barea was there to top the ball into the left side of the net.
• 90' | With just under a minute to go, the Falcons looked for another equalizing goal. Jake Lane slid a pass to Josh Erlandson on the left side of the field. Erlandson served the ball into the penalty area. It was headed by an MSU player and bounced toward Taylor Dyson. With several MSU players around him, Dyson attempted to settle the bouncing ball, but could not get a shot off before the Bears took possession.

UP NEXT
• The Falcons will return to the road next weekend, taking on Evansville on Friday evening (Oct. 25). That match will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET at Arad McCutchan Stadium.

• Then, the Orange and Brown will close the home portion of the regular-season schedule on the following Friday (Nov. 1), taking on Western Michigan. First touch is set for 7:00 p.m. at Cochrane Stadium, and admission is free.

FOR MORE INFORMATION...
• For more information on the BGSU men's soccer program, follow the Falcons on Twitter/X (@BGSU_Athletics and @BGSUMSoccer), Instagram (bgfalcons and bgsumsoccer) and Facebook (BGMensSoccer) as well as on the web right here at BGSUFalcons.com.