BGSU men’s soccer has been picked to finish fourth overall in the 2024 Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Preseason Poll. The Falcons have been projected to finish fourth overall in the MVC, gathering 51 total points from voting by the nine coaches in The Valley.
Missouri State is picked to win the MVC with 74 points and three first-place votes. Last year’s regular season and MVC Championship winners Western Michigan received four first-place votes, with a total of 72 points.
Picked in third place is UIC, receiving 69 total points and two first-place votes.
Below the Falcons in fifth place is Belmont with 41 points, and in sixth place are the Northern Illinois Huskies. Which would be the last spot for the MVC Championship.
Finishing at the bottom of the preseason poll are Evansville, Drake, and Bradley.
Full Poll Results:
- Missouri State (3) – 74
- Western Michigan (4) – 72
- UIC (2) – 69
- Bowling Green – 51
- Belmont – 41
- Northern Illinois – 31
- Evansville – 30
- Drake – 19
- Bradley – 18
The MVC have also announced their Preseason All-MVC Team, which includes Bowling Green’s senior midfielder Alberto Anaya, and junior forward Trace Terry.
Anaya was named to the All-MVC First Team last season, and was tied for the team lead in goals with four, and assists with six. All four of his goals and four of his assists came against teams in The Valley.
Terry is coming off a year where he also had four goals and six assists, starting all 18 games for BG. The Bellbrook native was also named to the All-MVC Second Team last season.
Preseason All-MVC Team
Harry Townsend, Missouri State – Goal-Keeper
Jesus De Vicente, UIC – Defender
Michael Peck, Missouri State – Defender
Dylan Steely, Belmont – Defender
Alberto Anaya, Bowling Green – Midfielder
Carson Hodgson, Western Michigan – Midfielder
Jesus Barea, Missouri State – Forward
Bart Muns, UIC – Forward
Kai Phillip, Evansville – Forward
Trace Terry, Bowling Green – Forward
Joshua Torres, UIC – Forward
In 2023, Bowling Green finished with a (7-8-3) record and (4-4-0) overall in their first season in the MVC, finishing fourth in The Valley, hosting an MVC Championship quarterfinals game against NIU.
The Falcons are set to begin the 2024 season on Friday, Aug. 23rd against rivals Wright State in the battle for the I-75 Cup at Cochrane Stadium.
