EAST LANSING, Mich. (BGSU Athletic Communications) -- Host Michigan State scored a pair of goals two minutes apart early in the second half, then held on for a 2-1 victory over the Bowling Green men's soccer team Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 21).  The non-conference game was held at DeMartin Stadium.
 
With the victory, Michigan State, the defending Big Ten Conference regular-season and tournament champion, improves to 8-4-1 on the season.  The Falcons drop to 2-9-2.
 
Redshirt junior Ahmad Smith scored his first goal of the season in the 69th minute to cut MSU's lead in half, but the Falcons could not get the equalizer against MSU 'keeper Avery Steinlage.  Earlier this season, Steinlage had set the NCAA record for consecutive shutout minutes.
 
Senior Jacob Lawrence picked up the assist on Smith's goal, and now has five points in his last two games.
 
Falcon freshman goalkeeper Dylan Schoettley, making his second consecutive start, had eight saves, the highest total of his young career.
 
BGSU will return home to face Hartwick College on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 25), with that Mid-American Conference contest beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Cochrane Field.  The Hartwick match begins a stretch in which the Falcons play four-of-five games at home to close the regular season.