The 2025 season is officially here for BGSU men’s soccer and 17th-year head coach Eric Nichols—and for the third straight year, Bowling Green will open up the season at Cochrane Stadium, this time hosting the IU Indy Jaguars.
Thursday night will mark the 12th-ever meeting between the Falcons and the Jaguars. Bowling Green has dominated the series with a 7-1-3 record. The only IU Indy win came in September of 2004 in the first-ever meeting.
Last year, the Orange and Brown went on the road in Indianapolis to defeat the Jaguars 4-1, with goals from seniors Trace Terry and Andrew Shaffer, plus former Falcons Kyle Cusimano and Alberto Anaya.
BOWLING GREEN
In 2024, the Falcons finished (12-6-2) overall and (4-3-1) in Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) play. Making a run to the MVC championship before falling 3-2 to Evansville in overtime.
This year, Bowling Green was picked to finish second in the MVC preseason poll, while receiving two first-place votes.
The Falcons are returning six starters from last season with 12 total returners, and are introducing 15 new players to the program, including seven freshmen, seven transfers, and one walk-on. Fresh faces, mixed with veteran experience.
Thursday will mark a new goalkeeper in net for the first time in three seasons for Bowling Green, after the graduation of Brendan Graves. With keepers Jason Ball, Enzo Gil, and Will Schutte all competing for the starting spot.
Terry, who was a United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team last season and was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Best XI Third Team, was selected to the Preseason All-MVC Team. Along with teammates Bennett Painter, who led the Falcons in scoring last year with 13 goals and started all 2o matches, and Shaffer, who led the Falcons in assists with nine in 2024.
Bowling Green has seven home games at Cochrane Stadium this season, and was unbeaten at home in 2024 with an 8-0-1 record. The only draw is against MVC Preseason Poll favorites Drake in October.
Make no mistake, Nichols and the Falcons will be looking for a fast start to 2025 in front of the home crowd at Cochrane Stadium.
IU INDY
The Jaguars finished (5-9-3) and just (2-6-1) in Horizon League play in 2024. But had some impressive wins against Akron and a draw against Saint Louis, both on the road.
While head coach Sid van Druenen’s squad is returning only seven goals from 2024. The team is returning a lot of experience and stability defensively with senior Brady Horn and junior Jago Thompson-Roberts. Senior goalkeeper Cameron Maung-Maung is poised to be the starter this year after playing two matches last year, including one against BG.
The road doesn’t get much easier for IU Indy after Thursday, who open up the year with five road matches, including trips to Notre Dame, Louisville, and Butler.
In the 4-1 loss against Bowling Green last season, the goalscorer for the Jaguars was junior midfielder Gijs Velings, who scored from the penalty spot.
FALCON FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
Trace Terry – Forward #21, Bowling Green
It’s one of the obvious choices. Terry could be in line to top his impressive 2024 campaign, which saw him get drafted by the Seattle Sounders in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft. Becoming the first Falcon to return after being drafted. Serving as one of the captains this year, Terry is coming off a productive preseason for the Orange and Brown.
Bennett Painter – Forward #12, Bowling Green
The Cincinnati native was named to the All-MVC Second Team last season after leading the Falcons in goals. Painter was listed as the No. 42 player in the nation on the TopDrawerSoccer.com Preseason Top-100 list, and after his breakout 2024, he’s one to watch all season long in his third collegiate season.
Brady Horn – Defender #28, IU Indy
Horn has played 48 matches for the Jaguars, including 16 matches with 15 starts in 2024. He is one of the more seasoned players on the roster, playing over 3,500 collegiate minutes. The senior will have a lot of responsibility handling Terry, Painter, and the company up top.
Gijs Velings – Midfielder #8, IU Indy
A Horizon League All-Freshman team selection in 2023, Velings has played 36 games for the Jaguars while making 34 starts. While he did score against BG last year, he played the third-most minutes on the team in 2024, making him a crucial piece to the IU Indy midfield.
