Falcons Fall to Pioneers at Home - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Falcons Fall to Pioneers at Home

BOWLING GREEN - The Bowling Green State University gymnastics team lost a heartbreaker to Texas Woman's University, counting falls on uneven bars and floor to fall behind the Pioneers, 191.800-191.100.

The Falcons led for three rotations, but a fall from Megan Harrington on floor allowed the Pioneers to steal the victory, following a clean 48.725 performance on beam.

Bowling Green started the meet on vault, where Sunny Marchand (9.75) and Jamilah Ali (9.85) led the team for the second week in a row.  After some minor bobbles from several gymnasts, the Falcons finished with a score of 48.150, taking an early lead over TWU, who struggled on bars.

Unfortunately, the Falcons would also have trouble on uneven bars, with three gymnasts suffering major errors in their routines.  Amanda Lievendag (9.725) hit a stellar routine to close out the rotation, but the team managed only 46.875 on the event.

But the Falcons still led going into balance beam, where the team put together five hit routines, led by Alyssa Nocella's confident routine, which scored 9.8.  Caroline Ellingboe, Maria Salvia and Ali all stayed on to score 9.6, giving the team a 48.150 total.

With only .150 separating the two teams going to the final event, the Falcons needed to hit all five of their floor routines to avoid counting a fall.  Megan Valentini (9.65), Nocella (9.675), Gina Locigno (9.7) and Ali (9.75) hit quality routines, but an unfortunate fall from Harrington sealed Bowling Green's fate. 

The Pioneers finished on balance beam and hit all six routines, counting no score lower than a 9.675.  The clutch ending to an up-and-down day for TWU was enough to walk away with the win.

With the loss, the Falcons drop to 0-2 on the season, after an opening loss to Ohio State.  The team will now prepare for two weeks on the road, facing Mid-American Conference opponents Northern Illinois on Jan. 19 and Eastern Michigan on Jan. 26.