BGSU men’s soccer (0-0-1) travels to Indianapolis, Indiana, to take on the Butler Bulldogs (0-1-0) in a quick turnaround matchup on Sunday, Aug. 24, at 7:00 p.m.
This matchup marks the fourth time in history that BGSU and Butler have met, with the Falcons winning 3-2 in the last meeting between the two schools in 2024.
Scouting Butler
Butler finished 11th in the Big East last season out of 12 teams in their 2024 campaign. With an overall record of 4-10-3 and a 1-7-0 record in conference play. All four of Butler’s wins came at home during last season.
Head coach Paul Snape returns for his 15th season with the Bulldogs, looking to turn the course around after last season’s outing.
Butler’s offense is led by senior Josemir Gomez, coming off a 2024 season with eight goals and two assists in 15 games played. After a solid production from Gomez, he was rewarded by being named to the All–Big East Second Team in 2024.
Gomez is followed closely behind by Ryan Hannosh, who started in all 17 matches last season and tallied six goals and five assists.
They did lose one of their important offensive pieces, Palmer Ault, who transferred to Indiana during the offseason.
Butler’s defense is anchored by Aurie Briscoe, a graduate transfer goalkeeper from Rutgers. During his time at Rutgers, Briscoe had 21 saves in eight matches played.
The defensive lineup in front of Briscoe is a mix of upper and underclass players, with Senior Vygo Verkooijen and freshman Oscar Dawber leading them.
Scouting Bowling Green
BGSU is coming off a tie in their first match of the season with a tie to IU Indy on Thursday.
The Falcons’ offense was able to generate plenty of corner kick attempts in their first game, a total of 11 by the end of the game. Expect senior Andrew Shaffer to continue to take the corner attempts and look for the multiple offensive weapons in the box for the Falcons.
Bennett Painter was on the receiving end of one of these corners during the game against IU Indy to score the first goal of the season for the Falcons.
For the Orange and Brown defense, Enzo Gil got the start against IU Indy, making seven saves and only allowing one goal conceded.
Bowling Green also saw defenders Giovanni Soares and Caio Tascheto get their first start at the Division I level.
Falcon Four Players to Watch
Andrew Shaffer – Midfielder #8, Bowling Green
Shaffer is the Falcons’ do-it-all midfielder. Last season, he was tied for the team lead in assists and has already tallied an assist in the first game of the season. Almost being the designated player to take corner kicks, expect plenty of assists from him again this season.
Trace Terry – Forward #21, Bowling Green
Although Terry was held in check against IU Indy, it was a team effort for the Jaguars to keep him in check with constant double teams sent his way. The more defenders key in on Terry, the more the field opens for the rest of the offense. It will be hard to keep Terry completely out of the game and expect Terry to push the issue after a slow start in game one.
Josemir Gomez – Forward #9, Butler
Gomez is always looking for an opportunity to score for Butler. The Bulldogs’ leading scorer, and third in the Big East in goals scored, Gomez will look to build upon that successful season. He is also a tall forward standing at 6’2. Keep an eye out for crossing passes high in the air to allow Gomez to utilize his frame to his advantage.
Ryan Hannosh – Forward #14, Butler
Hannosh is the hub of the Butler offense, tied for second for assists with five and second in goals with six. Butler will look to play through Hannosh to get the ball moving. Hannosh is a willing shot taker, leading the team in shot attempts and shots on goal last season. In the season opener, Hannosh was able to get three shot attempts up, except for an open opportunity for him to try.
