The Falcons’ soccer team will host the University of Detroit Mercy today in the team’s second to last game of the season.

After the disappointment of last weekend’s loss to Northern Illinois, ending the BG’s hope for a playoff qualification, coach Eric Nichols has the task of making sure his squad is up for the game.

‘The guys are pretty beat up about losing to NIU,’ Nichols said. ‘We felt like we would have had something to say in the playoffs.’

But Nichols does not seem to think his team will need any extra motivation against Detroit, just playing the game will be enough.

‘With Detroit coming in here, we will embrace the opportunity to win, something we are excited about,’ the first-year coach said.

Detroit will deploy a 4-4-2 formation, something Nichols will use as well, and he is not taking their visitors lightly.

‘Detroit plays very hard, and it will be a tough match,’ Nichols said. ‘They beat some teams that we could not.’

The Falcons will roll out seniors Cameron Hepple and Jacob Lawrence up front, with Zach Lemke, Chris Jurtovski, Hunter Van Houten and Chris McLean patrolling the midfield. Dusko Topolic, Tanner Fink, Thomas McLean and senior Tyler Deal will enforce the defense for the Falcons while Dylan Schoettley will be in goal.

The game kicks of at 2 p.m. at Cochrane Field.