After a deflating loss to end their recent hot streak, BGSU men’s soccer (8-2-1) comes back to defend its home field against the Detroit Mercy Titans (1-7-2), looking to earn their ninth win of the season.
Series History
The Falcons have faced the Titans thirty-two times throughout history and have dominated with a record of 21-8-3 between the two teams.
Although their most recent matchup ended in a draw last year, the Falcons have had recent success against the Titans with a record of 7-2-1 in their last ten matchups.
The last time the Falcons defeated the Titans was in 2021 when they defeated Detriot Mercy with a score of 2-0 at Cochrane Stadium.
Bowling Green
The Falcons had a six-match unbeaten streak before losing their last match against UIC. Bowling Green looks to quickly bounce back into the win column against a Titan team who have struggled so far this season.
Despite coming off a loss, BG returned home to Cochrane Stadium where they are 5-0-0 this season, with 14 goals scored and only five allowed.
The Forward duo of Sophmore Bennett Painter and Junior Trace Terry look to continue their intensive offense against the Titans. The duo has a combined 16 goals on the season and have a combined five goals in their last three games.
Terry, the first double-digit goal scorer for the Falcons in a decade, is second in the nation in goals with 10. He has scored in five straight matches for BG and will look to make it six against the Titans.
A win against the Titans would gain back some confidence for Bowling Green and hopefully gain some momentum for the final stretch of the season, especially the remaining four Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) matchups.
Detroit Mercy
The Titans are coming off a 1-0 loss to the IU Indy Jaguars.
It has been a struggle for Detroit Mercy this season. Their last and only win this season happened back on August 26th when they defeated Eastern Illinois 5-1. Even though they have had a rough season, they are still looking to pull off the upset against the Falcons.
Last season the Titans started their season off 0-6-0, yet they finished their season with a record of 5-10-3. So it is safe to say they bounced back and had a much better second half of their season last year.
The Titans are led by former BGSU men’s soccer assistant coach Nate Kopunek who spent four years with the Falcons from 2019 to 2022 alongside head coach Eric Nichols. On Kopunek’s staff is also former BGSU goalkeeper Logan Kowalczyk who was a part of BG’s 2020(-21) MAC Championship.
Detriot Mercy is looking to try to have a similar season to last year and get some wins under their belt and that has to start against Bowling Green for them. So even though their record may not be pretty, they are not to be underestimated.
Falcon Four Players to Watch
Goalkeeper, #33 – Brendan Graves, Bowling Green
Graves has only allowed two goals and two shutouts in his last three matches. His play between the pipes but also his leadership on the field is exactly what Bowling Green needs to try to get back into the win column.
Forward, #21 – Trace Terry, Bowling Green
Terry has been a star for this team so far this season. He has 10 goals on the season and four goals in his last three games. It will be interesting to watch to see if Terry can keep his goal streak alive and lead Bowling Green to a win.
Forward, #10 – Guershom Sylvain, Detroit Mercy
Sylvain leads the Titans in goals on the season with four and leads his team in points as well with nine. Detroit Mercy will most likely look toward him to spark some offense as he has had the most offensive success for the team so far this season.
Defender, #4 – Casey McCarthy, Detroit Mercy
McCarthy leads the Titans in assists on the season and is second in points with seven just behind his teammate Sylvain.
He is having the best season of his collegiate career so far as he has already tied his career-high goals this season and also a career-high in assists on the year. The Titans will look at him to create some chances for their team.
