With five regular-season matches left, it is officially crunch time for BGSU men’s soccer (9-2-1, 3-1-0) in their quest for a Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) championship.
Starting this Saturday, the going gets tough, including key MVC matchups, two nationally ranked opponents, and a regular-season finale trip out west to Oregon State.
This weekend, the second-place Falcons host the third-place Drake Bulldogs (6-3-2, 2-0-1) for the first time at Cochrane Stadium.
Last season, when these two programs met, it was the first-ever meeting. Bowling Green defeated Drake 3-1 in Iowa through a base from sophomore forward Bennett Painter and a goal by senior midfielder Alberto Anaya.
BOWLING GREEN
Coming off a 5-2 victory over Detriot Mercy at home, the Falcons got back on track after a 2-1 against UIC in MVC play.
One can make a real argument that this match on Saturday is arguably the biggest match of the season for the Orange and Brown. With BG only one point behind #17 Missouri State for first place in the MVC and Drake just sitting below them with seven points, a win or a loss against the Bulldogs will have massive implications on how The Valley shakes out.
Painter is coming off a hat-trick and two assists last match, and depending on junior forward Trace Terry’s minutes Saturday, the Falcons might need another special performance from the Cincinnati striker.
A couple of Falcons who have flown under the radar somehow with all the success Painter and Terry have been having this season have been Anaya and junior winger Andrew Shaffer, who’ve combined to have 15 assists on the year, with eight for Anaya and seven for Shaffer.
The Falcons are 6-0 at Cochrane Stadium, looking to make it seven. But to do that, the Falcons need a complete 90-minute performance from the backline to the front.
DRAKE
It’s safe to say Drake has been the surprise of the MVC this season. After finishing dead last in The Valley in 2023, this current Bulldogs team has a lot of bite and character that has propelled them to third in the MVC currently.
The Bulldogs were picked to finish 8th in the MVC Coaches Preseason Poll, but boy, have they proved that to be inaccurate.
Drake is coming off a 1-1 draw at home to #14 Western Michigan. Their other two conference games have both been wins, with a 4-0 victory over Belmont and a 2-1 win against Evansville.
10 different players for Drake have impacted the scoresheet, with junior midfielder Damian Segura leading the line with five goals and an assist. The Bulldogs have scored 21 goals in 11 matches and, more impressively, have only allowed 13.
A win for Drake and a possible loss for Missouri State means Drake would be tied for first in the Valley.
Tell someone that at the start of the season. This is a massive game for the Bulldogs.
Falcon Four players to watch
Forward, #12: Bennett Painter, Bowling Green
With nine goals and three assists on the year, Painter is starting to find his groove again this season after going scoreless in a couple of matches. He will once again be the key focal point for the Falcons offensively against Drake.
Midfielder, #15: Mads Christensen, Bowling Green
Christensen has been a sensational defensive midfielder for the Falcons this season. With a match that contains so many elite attacking players on both teams, the midfield battle will be key for the Orange and Brown in earning another win at Cochrane Stadium.
Midfielder, #10: Damian Segura, Drake
He can do it all for this Bulldogs side. Score and create: Segura will be critical in helping Drake in the final third and will look to get his name on the box score once again.
Goalkeeper #1: Tomas Butkovic, Drake
The freshman goalkeeper from Australia leads the MVC in shutouts with four and has 29 saves on the season. A big match will be needed from Butkovic to help Drake come away with a victory.
