BGSU men’s soccer (3-0-0) will look to continue their unbeaten start to the season as they finish off their three-game road trip against the Michigan Wolverines (2-0-1), who are also unbeaten to start the year.
SERIES HISTORY
Monday will be the 17th all-time meeting between BG and Michigan. The Falcons led the series with an 8-6-2 record and have not lost to the Wolverines since 2010.
These two teams met last year at Cochrane Stadium in a match where Bowling Green came away victorious, 2-1.
BOWLING GREEN
The Orange and Brown are coming off back-to-back road wins heading into this game, with a 1-0 win over Michigan State and most recently a 4-1 thumping victory over IU Indianapolis.
Last match, the Falcons had four different goal scorers get on the score sheet: junior forward Trace Terry, senior midfielder Alberto Anaya, junior winger Andrew Shaffer, and fifth-year defender Kyle Cusimano.
Bowling Green has scored eight goals so far to start the year and have only conceded three. Two of those goals were from the penalty spot. The big reason for that? The play comes from fifth-year goalkeeper Brendan Graves, who has made 10 saves on the season, including one shutout.
Sophomore midfielder Mads Christensen also returned from injury against IU Indianapolis, which was a big boost to the Falcons’ midfield. Christensen was one of the four players who played all 18 matches last season and earned MVC All-Freshman team honors. Having him back in the defensive midfield position is huge for Bowling Green.
The formula for success against Michigan on Monday is the same as the previous two road wins: defend as a unit, win the midfield battle, and finish chances.
MICHIGAN
The Wolverines are coming off a 1-1 draw against #19-ranked Oregon State at home, a good result against a team in Oregon State who were in the final four of the 2023 NCAA Championship.
It’s been a pleasantly good start to the year for Michigan, who were picked to finish 10th in the 2024 Big Ten Preseason Poll.
Michigan won their two games of the season, defeating Loyola Chicago 1-0 and Oakland 2-1, both at U-M Soccer Stadium. The Maize and Blue have scored four goals to start this season, but what’s been impressive is the backline. Just two goals given up in three matches, plus a shutout.
Goal-keeper Isaiah Goldson has had a tremendous early season; the sophomore is currently second in the Big Ten in saves per game with 4.00, third in the conference in saves with eight, and fourth in save percentage with 89%.
Bowling Green has had Michigan’s number in the past few years, and the Wolverines are going to need a complete performance at home if they want to continue their unbeaten streak against a red-hot Falcons squad.
Falcon Four Players to Watch
Goalkeeper: #30, Brendan Graves, Bowling Green
Graves has been superb in the net for BG in 2024. Something that doesn’t get talked about enough is his vocal leadership and presence in the backline. The Perrysburg native will be important once again against Michigan.
Defender: #2, Kyle Cusimano, Bowling Green
He’s been sort of an unsung hero this year, but Cusimano has continued to put in good performances again and again for the Falcons. Scoring his first goal of the season last game, the center-back can get forward and create goal-scoring opportunities.
Forward: #21, Beto Soto, Michigan
The former Big East Freshman of the Year has a goal and an assist in three matches in his first season with Michigan, after spending four years with Marquette. Soto is certainly one to watch for the Wolverines, one of the most dangerous new players for this Michigan squad.
Forward: #29, Grayson Elmquist, Michigan
Elmquist spent last season with Xavier, helping the Musketeers win the 2023 Big East championship. He scored his first goal for Micghian against Oakland, which turned out to be the game-winner. Another new player for the Wolverines, who looks to make an impact on the scoresheet.
