BGSU men’s soccer (0-1-1) looks for its first win of the season as it travels to take on the Wright State Raiders (0-1-0) in the I-75 Cup at the Alumni Field at Rinzler Student Sports Complex in Dayton.
The match on Thursday night marks the 25th edition of the rivalry, with the first matchup taking place on Sept. 25, 1982. Last season, Bowling Green defeated Wright State, coming back from a 2-0 deficit, winning 3-2 to open up the 2024 season.
BOWLING GREEN
The Falcons tied IU Indy at Cochrane Stadium to start the year, and followed up with a 1-0 loss to Butler on the road. BG will be without junior captain Andrew Shaffer and graduate-student defender Giovanni Soares as both received red cards in the last match against the Bulldogs.
Junior goalkeeper Enzo Gil is coming off a career-high in saves against Butler with eight. Earning Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Sophomore midfielder Bradley Poppell earned his first start for Bowling Green against Butler. With the new transfers, Joshua Saavedra, Caio Tascheto, Gil, and Soares are making their second straight start.
The only scorer this season through two matches is junior forward Bennett Painter, while senior forward and captain Trace Terry has yet to find the box. Thursday night is a perfect opportunity.
WRIGHT STATE
The Raiders have played just one game, losing 2-1 to MVC’s in Nashville. The I-75 Cup match against Bowling Green will be Wright State’s home opener.
Last season, Wright State went 7-9-2 overall and 3-5-1 in Horizon League play. With a 4-3-1 record at home, while earning three road victories. The Raiders are returning 17 players from 2024, with 11 newcomers.
Wright State finished 8th in the Horizon League last year, missing out on the conference tournament. But ended 2024 on a high note with a 4-1 win against Northern Kentucky.
In their loss against Belmont, Henry Hutchinson scored the goal for the Raiders, while the team put up seven shots with five on target.
FALCON FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH
Joshua Saavedra – Midfielder #26, Bowling Green
Saavedra can play multiple positions in the midfield, but has mostly played as the attacking midfielder role. The former Long Island Shark still needs his first goal or assist in an Orange and Brown uniform. The match against Wright State is a perfect opportunity to do so.
Anthony Hernandez – Midfielder #10, Bowling Green
With Shaffer missing the match due to a red-card suspension, and Mads Christensen not playing the last match. Hernandez’s ability to play on both sides of the wing and in central midfield will be key for the Falcons against the Raiders.
Ishmael Mensah – Midfielder #14, Wright State
Mensah transferred to Wright State from Xavier after one season. The Ghanaian midfielder is coming off a productive summer with the Dayton Dutch Lions and is set to be a key contributor for the Raiders this season.
Zakaria Amro – Defender #3, Wright State
Returning for his second season with the Raiders, Amro started 14 matches last year and has anchored the backline for Wright State. His height and physicality will be important against the Falcons, along with his leadership at the back.
