After a heartbreaking end to the 2024 season—a year where BGSU men’s soccer finished (12-6-2) overall and (4-3-1) in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC)—the Falcons are using the College Spring League to prepare for the 2025 regular season in August.
Rewinding to last year, Bowling Green’s season came to a close in the 2024 MVC Championship against Evansville, losing 3-2 in overtime and missing out on a berth in the NCAA tournament.
Last season was the end for many Falcons who left a lasting impact on the program. Most notably, starters on the backline Kyle Cusimano, Josh Erlandson and goalkeeper Brendan Graves departed. The Falcons also saw departures in the midfield, such as Kyle Blasingame, Jake Bergin and Alberto Anaya.
The Orange and Brown also lost key culture pieces such as Taylor Dyson, Rodrigo Silva and Grant Balcer.
Safe to say the Falcons will need to reload, which head coach Eric Nichols is no stranger to doing.
COLLEGE SPRING LEAGUE
This spring, Bowling Green is once again competing in the College Spring League, playing in the North Division with Akron, Dayton, Michigan, and Michigan State.
The final game will take place on Saturday, April 12, against an opponent in the South Division at Historic Crew Stadium. Which consists of Marshall, Louisville, Xavier, Ohio State, and Butler.
“Our spring season is going really well. We’ve faced some big challenges, as we are playing top-tier teams. So far, we have faced Akron and Michigan, two teams that made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, as well as a very good Michigan State team,” said Nichols. “Our next game is against Dayton, who advanced to the third round of the NCAAs, followed by another tough test on the final day.”
While at the end of the day, the games are essentially exhibitions, they can be crucial in developing team chemistry and can give you a preview of how the team will line up in 2025.
NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS
The Falcons are playing with just 15 players on the roster from last season; 12 of them are field players while the other three are goalkeepers.
Despite the low numbers, Nichols has been pleased with the group’s effort this spring.
“Each spring brings different challenges, and this spring we are light on numbers, but I couldn’t be more pleased with how this group is progressing,” said Nichols. “A lot of guys are getting valuable playing time, and we are moving along. It will be nice to get reinforcements, numbers-wise, in the fall, but this group is making great progress.”
One of the biggest questions heading into next year is who’s going to take the starting spot in the net. Graves was the starter for Bowling Green for the last three seasons. Starting 64 straight games in goal for the Falcons and playing every single minute for the Orange and Brown.
The three goalkeepers on the current roster are Jason Ball and Will Schutte. The new addition to the keeper room is Casper Madsen from Angelina College in Texas, coached by former Falcon assistant coach Martin Melchor.
Ball has played the most this spring out of the three, including playing the full 90 minutes against Michigan State and Michigan. Madsen has appeared as well, while Schutte has not. While there won’t be a definitive answer until August, it appears Ball is getting most of the minutes.
Defender Gus Peacock is the only returning starter from the defense. With the loss of Cusimano and Erlandson, it’ll be interesting to see who plays the middle center-back role in the back three.
Peacock, who started all 20 games for Bowling Green in 2024, has played the majority of his minutes at right-center back. This spring, Peacock has moved to the middle of the backline. Which is something to keep an eye on.
In positive news for the Falcons, defender Amer Dedic has returned to the pitch for BG. After missing most of 2023 and 2024 with injury, Dedic has been starting along the backline.
The third starting spot in the back three could be either Saul Rios or Robert Morris transfer Tim Koczulap; both have played significant minutes this spring and could end up competing for the left center back spot.
Moving up to midfield, the two holding midfielders have been Mads Christensen and Anthony Hernandez. Hernandez, who played out on the right wing for a good portion of 2024, has moved to his more natural position in the middle of the park.
Another open spot is that number 10 position for Bowling Green, now that Anaya is gone. Ryko Bodurov has played that position this spring and is looking to build off his freshman campaign. Aiden Ptacek, who saw minutes last season, is another versatile midfielder is an option at that position as well.
RETURNING FIREPOWER
Bowling Green’s frontline is returning a lot of key contributors from last season. Let’s start with the obvious, shall we?
The duo of Bennett Painter and Trace Terry, who scored a combined 25 goals last season, will be back for one last ride together in 2025. Both have started all the games in the spring so far.
Terry, who was drafted 76th overall in the third round of the 2025 MLS SuperDraft by the Seattle Sounders, is returning to the Orange and Brown for his senior season.
Midfielder Andrew Shaffer, who was tied for the team in assists last year with nine, is another starter you can write in pen on either side of the wing for BG. Also returning is Jake Lane, who played the super sub role off the bench last season. Recording six assists and a goal in the MVC final.
Safe to say one of the early strengths for the Falcons is the attack, returning most of their goal production from 2024.
LOOKING AHEAD
With only a handful of spring league games left, the College Spring League has provided Bowling Green an opportunity to see the pieces they have on the roster before the 2025 season officially kicks off.
It is no secret some spots need to be filled on the field, but with transfers and the arrival of the freshman class in August, Nichols and his squad are poised to make another run in The Valley next season.
