After BGSU women’s soccer (5-1-1) completed the non-conference slate with a 1-0 victory over Duquesne on Sunday, they enter Mid-American Conference (MAC) play with not only the best record in the MAC, but one of the best mid-major records in the country and the second-best record in program history through the first seven games.
The Falcons are the only MAC team with five wins on the year so far, and one of only 11 programs outside the Power Four with at least five wins and no more than one loss, as well as one of only three out of those eleven to play at least two Power Four schools to this point.
The most recent and only time the Falcons achieved a better record through the first seven games of the season was in the 2021 Spring season, when they began 6-1 and ultimately earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
The Falcons lead the conference with a goal differential of six, scoring 10 goals on the season while allowing only four. Only one goal has crossed the line in the past three games for BG, and a non-conference performance that placed sophomore goalkeeper Payton O’Malley at the top of the MAC rankings with a goals against average of .571.
“She’s been growing as the season goes on,” Fox said after O’Malley’s third shutout of the season. The confidence, the quality, I’ve been really happy with her performance both in the builds and obviously in goal.”
Fox, who enters his second year as head coach of the squad, has emphasized a culture change that has helped the team completely buy into the vision that the England native has brought to Bowling Green.
“If I could have predicted, I wouldn’t have expected it to be 5-1-1,” Fox said. “I mean, we had some shaky performances last season and maybe the soccer gods weren’t on our side at times, but I think this is what we are capable of. I think this is us playing to our full potential.”
The 2025 Falcon offense has been versatile, yet effective, as five forwards have earned five or more points on the season, with junior Emma Stransky at the forefront with six points on three goals so far.
Despite being the youngest squad in the MAC, the Falcons are the only team in the MAC that comes remotely close to having four or more players with five or more points through the opening month of the season.
“It’s been a joy having all of them,” Stransky said. “They bring so much to our front line, they’re great teammates, and they can really contribute to putting back lines under a lot of pressure, so I love having them.
The Falcons will open up MAC play on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m. at Cochrane Stadium against Kent State (2-2-3) before being on the away conference slate in Athens against the Ohio Bobcats on Sept. 18 at 4:00 p.m.
