While we are only five games into the 2024 BGSU men’s soccer (4-1-0) season, the team has had a tremendous start offensively.
The Falcons have scored 11 goals so far this year, and a big part of that has been from the dynamic duo up top, from junior forward Trace Terry and sophomore forward Bennett Painter, who each have three goals and one assist in the early season.
For Terry, he scored his first game-winning goal on Saturday night in the team’s 3-2 win over Butler; his play this season has been a result of hard work and maturity over time.
“Just a real maturation; the kid is as fun as anyone that I’ve met,” said head coach Eric Nichols. “But this year he’s just come back with a different eye toward what he wants to accomplish on the field, and he’s taking care of business and all aspects of his life headed toward that goal. He’s still a lot of fun, but in between the lines, he’s all business.”
Last season, Terry was one of the four Falcons who started all 18 games in 2023. The Bellbrook native scored four goals and tallied six assists in 1,570 minutes played.
But this year has been a whole new Terry, including his defensive work.
“He puts in a shift talking about defending. He was a top-shelf defender tonight, even though he’s our front-runner,” said Nichols. “He puts so much pressure on their back line; it’s just a lot of tireless, tireless work.”
What’s Terry’s mindset going into each game, you might ask? He’ll put it in simple words?
“I want goals; I want more goals; I want to win,” said Terry postgame.
On the other end, Painter has had a great start to his sophomore campaign. With two game-winning goals on the year, one in their season opener against Wright State and one on the road at Michigan State.
The Cincinnati striker has found his groove and has found it early.
“He’s found his stuff, and he had it last year, and it would kind of come and go,” said Nichols. “It’s still a little bit hit or miss, but it’s hitting more than it’s missing, that’s for sure.”
A big difference this season for Painter has been opportunity. He has started every game this season after only starting three last year.
“My confidence is very high. I’m very confident every time I get the ball, and just our team overall, our team is very confident,” said Painter.
It’s safe to say the partnership up top with Terry and Painter is blossoming; the two are different types of forwards but also have more similarities than you think.
“They cover space, they press defenders, they hold up the possession. Those two are starting to become dangerous together,” said Nichols. “
While it has been a great start for both forwards, the best may still be yet to come.
“I still don’t think we’ve seen them at their best in terms of them working together,” said Nichols. “They’re starting to read each other; I think that tandem is only going to get better.”
