THE 2016 SEASON
1 • BOWLING GREEN • 2016 MEN’S SOCCER • 1 BGSU MEN’S SOCCER 2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS The 2016 Season 2016 Rosters 3 Roster Breakdown 4 GENERAL INFORMATION TEAM INFORMATION School______Bowling Green State University 2015 Overall Record______9-9-1 (.500) Meet the Falcons Location______Bowling Green, Ohio 2015 MAC Record______1-4-0 (.200) Head Coach Eric Nichols 6-8 Founded / Enrollment______1910 / 19,000 Conference Finish______Sixth of 6 Assistant Coaches 9-10 Nickname / Colors____Falcons / Orange & Brown MAC Tournament______Did not qualify Support Staff 11-12 Conference______Mid-American (MAC) Letterwinners Returning / Lost______15 / 7 The Returnees 14-36 Home Facility______Cochrane Stadium Starters Returning / Lost______8 / 3 The Newcomers 37-40 Press Box Phone______419.372.0550 President______Dr. Mary Ellen Mazey PROGRAM HISTORY Last Season / The MAC Faculty Representative______Dr. Lee Meserve First Year of Men’s Soccer______1965 2015 Box Scores 43-44 Director of Athletics______Bob Moosbrugger All-Time Varsity Record______422-358-80 (.537) The Mid-American Conference 46 Senior Associate AD/SWA______Lauren Ashman All-Time MAC Record______57-64-12 (.474) Series Information 47-48 Athletics Dept. Phone______419.372.2401 MAC Regular-Season Titles______3 ______(1996, 2000, 2002) Falcon Men’s Soccer History COACHING STAFF MAC Tournament Appearances______18_ Year-by-Year Records 50 Head Coach______Eric Nichols (1994-95-96-97-98-99-2000-01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08-10-12-14) Year-by-Year Results & Stats 51-81 Alma Mater______Ohio State, 2000 MAC Ty. Championship-Match Appearances___ 9 Falcons in the MAC Tournament 82 [email protected] _(1994-1995-1996-1997-1998-2000-2002-2003-2014) Cochrane Stadium 85-88 Office Phone______419.372.7072 MAC Tournament Titles______3 BGSU Hall of Fame Inductees 90-93 Record at BGSU (years)______53-60-20 (seven) ______(1995-1996-1997) MAC Record______14-21-6 MAC Tournament Record______18-15-0 (.545) All-Americans 94-95 NCAA Championships Appearances______6 Falcons in the Pros 96-97 Career Record (years)______112-82-22 (11) Assistant Coach______Eric Reed (third season) ______(1972-1973-1992-1995-1996-1997) NCAA Tournament Teams 98-99 Alma Mater______UCLA, 2006 NCAA Championships Record_____ 4-6-0 (.400) * Letterwinners 100-104 [email protected] * includes wins in 1995 & ‘97 NCAA ‘Play-In’ Matches Single-Season & Career Leaders 106 Assistant Coach______Zach Mason (first season) Falcon Men’s Soccer Records 107 Alma Mater______Ohio State, 2016 ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Honors & Awards 108-116 [email protected] Asst. AD/Director______Jason Knavel Dir. of Operations_ Jason Samuelsen (third season) Asst. Director (m.soccer)______Mike Cihon Assistant Coaches’ Office Phone___ 419.372.7071 Office Phone______419.372.0474 [email protected] Assistant Director______Jenna Jorgensen Assistant______James Nahikian 2016 MEDIA INFORMATION Visual Communication Intern____Amanda Cutcher Assistant______Matt Daley • This 2016 Bowling Green State University Men’s Soccer Media Information is a production of the BGSU Athletic Communications Office in conjunction with the BGSU Men’s Soccer Office Student Assistant______Daniela Carrillo Mailing Address______247 Perry Stadium East • Information compiled, written and edited by men’s soccer SID Mike Cihon ______Bowling Green, Ohio 43403-0030 • Photography by BGSU Marketing & Communications (Craig Bell and Brad Phalin), as well as Ernie Aranyosi, Larry Overnight Address______1610 Stadium Drive Clapper, Kara Fallon, Bianca Garza, Jeff Harwell, Ruben Kappler, Michael Nemeth & members of the BGSU Athletic Athletics Website______BGSUFalcons.com Communications staff Twitter______@BGathletics, @BGSUmenssoccer • Information up to date as of August 25, 2016
2 • BOWLING GREEN • 2016 MEN’S SOCCER • 2 2016 BGSU ROSTERS & PRONUNCIATIONS
NUMERICAL ROSTER NO. NAME (PRONUNCIATION) POS. YEAR HOMETOWN / H.S. / PREVIOUS SCHOOL(S) 1 Billy Larsen GK R-So. St. Charles, Ill. / North 2 Bismark Agyeman (AH-jee-man) * M R-So. Ghana / Columbus (Ohio) Horizon Science Academy 3 Dominic Grida (GREE-da) * D/M So. North Royalton, Ohio / North Royalton 4 Moe Mustafa (moo-STAH-fa) * D So. Westlake, Ohio / Westlake 5 Ian Haskin * M Jr. Chesterfield, Mich. /Anchor Bay 6 Chris Brennan F Fr. Copley, Ohio / Copley 7 Tate Robertson * F So. Springfield, Ohio / Catholic Central 8 Alexis Souahy (a-LEX-ee SWAH-hee) * D Jr. Saint Etienne au Mont, France / Saint Joseph / Notre Dame Coll. 9 Brad Macomber (MAY-comb-err) ** F Jr. Muskegon, Mich. / Reeths-Puffer 10 Prayag Jina (PRAY-ag JEE-na) ** M Jr. Aurora, Ohio / Aurora 11 Pat Flynn ** F Sr. Naperville, Ill. / Central / DePaul Univ. 12 Peter Pugliese (pug-LEESE) * M So. Cambridge, Ontario, Canada / Jacob Hespeler Secondary 14 Keaton Reynolds ** F Jr. Noblesville, Ind. / Noblesville 15 Charlie Maciejewski (ma-JESS-kee) M Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio / Summit Country Day 16 Tom Wrobel (ROW-bull) D Fr. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada / St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic 17 Max Auden (AWE-den) ***# M 5-Sr. Naperville, Ill. / North 18 Jacob Roth ***# D/M Sr. Cleveland, Ohio / St. Ignatius 19 Chase Betenson ** F Jr. Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg 20 Vincent Giannini (ja-NEE-nee) * M So. Sydney, Australia / Christian Brothers H.S. Lewisham 21 Robert Miller III F Fr. York, Pa. / Central York 22 Joe Sullivan ***# M Sr. Naperville, Ill. / North 23 Mitchell Evans D Fr. Troy, Ohio / Troy 24 Anthony Mwembia (MWEM-bee-a) GK Fr. Toulouse, France 28 Nick Johnson GK Jr. St. Charles, Mo. / Francis Howell / Lewis and Clark CC 33 Noah Kummer (KOO-mer) GK R-Fr. Brookville, Ohio / Dayton Carroll Head Coach: Eric Nichols (Ohio State, 2000) – eighth year * letters earned Assistant Coach: Eric Reed (UCLA, 2006) – third year # 2016 Captains Assistant Coach: Zach Mason (Ohio State, 2016) – first year Director of Soccer Operations: Jason Samuelsen – third year Student Manager: Rami Alazhari – second year Athletic Training Graduate Assistant: Mary Ankrom (Ashland, 2014) – second year Strength & Conditioning Graduate Assistant: Emily McClelland (Bowling Green, 2014) – second year ALPHABETICAL ROSTER NO. NAME (PRONUNCIATION) POS. YEAR HOMETOWN (H.S./PREVIOUS SCHOOL) 2 Bismark Agyeman (AH-jee-man) * M R-So. Ghana / Columbus (Ohio) Horizon Science Academy 17 Max Auden (AWE-den) ***# M 5-Sr. Naperville, Ill. / North 19 Chase Betenson ** F Jr. Twinsburg, Ohio / Twinsburg 6 Chris Brennan F Fr. Copley, Ohio / Copley 23 Mitchell Evans D Fr. Troy, Ohio / Troy 11 Pat Flynn ** F Sr. Naperville, Ill. / Central / DePaul Univ. 20 Vincent Giannini (ja-NEE-nee) * M So. Sydney, Australia / Christian Brothers H.S. Lewisham 3 Dominic Grida (GREE-da) * D/M So. North Royalton, Ohio / North Royalton 5 Ian Haskin * M Jr. Chesterfield, Mich. /Anchor Bay 10 Prayag Jina (PRAY-ag JEE-na) ** M Jr. Aurora, Ohio / Aurora 28 Nick Johnson GK Jr. St. Charles, Mo. / Francis Howell / Lewis and Clark CC 33 Noah Kummer (KOO-mer) GK R-Fr. Brookville, Ohio / Dayton Carroll 1 Billy Larsen GK R-So. St. Charles, Ill. / North 15 Charlie Maciejewski (ma-JESS-kee) M Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio / Summit Country Day 9 Brad Macomber (MAY-comb-err) ** F Jr. Muskegon, Mich. / Reeths-Puffer 21 Robert Miller III F Fr. York, Pa. / Central York 4 Moe Mustafa (moo-STAH-fa) * D So. Westlake, Ohio / Westlake 24 Anthony Mwembia (MWEM-bee-a) GK Fr. Toulouse, France 12 Peter Pugliese (pug-LEESE) * M So. Cambridge, Ontario, Canada / Jacob Hespeler Secondary 14 Keaton Reynolds ** F Jr. Noblesville, Ind. / Noblesville 7 Tate Robertson * F So. Springfield, Ohio / Catholic Central 18 Jacob Roth ***# D/M Sr. Cleveland, Ohio / St. Ignatius 8 Alexis Souahy (a-LEX-ee SWAH-hee) * D Jr. Saint Etienne au Mont, France / Saint Joseph / Notre Dame Coll. 22 Joe Sullivan ***# M Sr. Naperville, Ill. / North 16 Tom Wrobel (ROW-bull) D Fr. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada / St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic
3 • BOWLING GREEN • 2016 MEN’S SOCCER • 3 ROSTER BREAKDOWN
LETTERWINNERS RETURNING (15) Name Pos. Yr. MP/MS G-A=Pts. Bismark Agyeman M R-So. 19/17 0-5=5 FALCONS ... Max Auden M 5-Sr. 19/19 1-4=6 BY CLASS Chase Betenson F Jr. 4/0 0-0=0 SENIORS (4) Pat Flynn F Sr. 15/14 9-4=22 Auden%, Flynn, Roth, Sullivan Vincent Giannini M So. 6/2 0-0=0 Dominic Grida D/M So. 4/0 0-0=0 JUNIORS (7) Prayag Jina M Jr. 4/0 0-0=0 Betenson, Haskin, Jina, Brad Macomber F Jr. 16/10 0-1=1 Johnson, Macomber, Reynolds, Souahy Moe Mustafa D So. 7/5 0-0=0 Peter Pugliese M So. 9/0 0-0=0 SOPHOMORES (7) Keaton Reynolds F Jr. 14/2 1-2=4 Agyeman#, Giannini, Grida, Tate Robertson M So. 18/17 1-1=3 Larsen#, Mustafa, Pugliese, Robertson Jacob Roth D/M Sr. 19/19 5-4=14 Alexis Souahy D Jr. 19/19 1-2=4 FRESHMEN (7) Joe Sullivan M Sr. 19/19 6-5=17 Brennan, Evans, Kummer+, Maciejewski, Miller, Mwembia, Wrobel OTHERS RETURNING (3) Name Pos. Yr. Stats/Notes % fifth-year senior Ian Haskin M Jr. Did not see match action in 2015 # redshirt sophomore + redshirt freshman Noah Kummer GK R-Fr. Did not see match action in 2015 Billy Larsen GK R-So. Did not see match action in 2015 BY STATE ^ NEWCOMERS (7) OHIO (10) Name Pos. Yr. Hometown (Previous School[s]) Betenson, Brennan, Evans, Chris Brennan F Fr. Copley, Ohio (Copley) Grida, Jina, Kummer, Maciejewski, Mustafa, Mitchell Evans D Fr. Troy, Ohio (Troy) Robertson, Roth Nick Johnson GK Jr. St. Charles, Mo. (Francis Howell) (Lewis & Clark CC) Charlie Maciejewski M Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio (Summit Country Day) ILLINOIS (4) Robert Miller III F Fr. York, Pa. (Central York) Auden, Flynn, Larsen, Sullivan Anthony Mwembia GK Fr. Toulouse, France FRANCE (2) Tom Wrobel D Fr. Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic) Mwembia, Souahy
LETTERWINNERS LOST (7) MICHIGAN (2) Haskin, Macomber Name Pos. Yr.^ MP/MS G-A=Pts. Notes Jake Genrich D Sr. 9/8 0-0=0 ONTARIO (2) Ryan Heuton GK R-Jr. 16/16 9-7-0, 1.41 GAA, 46 svs., 3 SHO Pugliese, Wrobel Ryan James M Sr. 19/19 4-5=13 Third-round pick in MLS SuperDraft AUSTRALIA (1) Nick Landsberger GK R-Jr. 3/3 0-2-1, 2.79 GAA, 13 svs. Giannini Jake Martin M Sr. 16/14 0-2=2 Ryan Ross F/M Fr. 15/3 0-0=0 GHANA (1) Danny Shea D R-Jr. 16/3 1-1=3 Agyeman INDIANA (1) OTHERS LOST (1) Reynolds Name Pos. Yr.^ MP/MS G-A=Pts. MISSOURI (1) Omar Salem M Fr. 1/0 0-0=0 Johnson ^ denotes eligibility in 2015-16 academic year PENNSYLVANIA (1) Miller
^ or country, or province
4 • BOWLING GREEN • 2016 MEN’S SOCCER • 4 THE COACHING STAFF
5 • BOWLING GREEN • 2016 MEN’S SOCCER • 5 FALCON COACHING STAFF
ERIC NICHOLS HEAD COACH • EIGHTH SEASON
Eric Nichols embarks upon his eighth season at the helm of the BGSU men’s soccer program in 2016. Since being named the Falcons’ mentor on Feb. 17, 2009, Nichols has built not just a winning team, but a successful program both on and off the pitch.
In his first seven seasons with the Falcons, Nichols has changed the culture of the program, showing steady improvement each season.
BGSU has an overall record of 53-60-20 since Nichols assumed the helm. After going 3-12-3 in his initial season, Nichols’ Falcons have a winning record over the last six years.
The Falcons had an RPI of 184 in the 2008 season, the year before Nichols arrived. Four years later, BGSU finished with an RPI of 99. And, at the conclusion of the 2014 campaign, Nichols and the Falcons were ranked 64th in the nation in the end-of-season RPI.
In August of 2015, Nichols signed a multi-year contract extension. His contract at BGSU runs through December 31, 2019.
Upon his arrival in ‘09, Nichols took over a team that had dropped to the bottom of the Mid-American Conference, and slowly but surely returned the BGSU men’s soccer program to relevance in the MAC and the region.
Nichols has led the Falcons win a total of 23 matches over the last two seasons. The 2015 team began the year with five consecutive wins, breaking into the national rankings for the first time since 1999. The Falcons were 24th in the country in the National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) poll released on Sept. 8.
Also last season, junior Pat Flynn was named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List, senior Ryan James was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, and Flynn and fellow junior Joe Sullivan both were named to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team. All three student-athletes were among eight Falcons to earn Academic All-MAC honors, and James was selected by Sporting Kansas City in the third round of the MLS SuperDraft.
Nichols and the Falcons, after losing 10 seniors off of the 2013 team,were picked to finish fifth in the six-team MAC in the 2014 campaign. But, that 2014 team put together one of the most successful seasons in the last few decades. The Falcons went 14-6-1 overall and tied for third in the MAC with a 2-2-1 league ledger.
In 2014, the Falcons finished with a winning record for the first time in 14 years, and the overall win total was the program’s highest in 17 seasons. BGSU more than doubled the previous season’s win total, and the Falcons advanced to the championship match of the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2003.
In the final 2014 NCAA statistics, the Falcons were ranked 30th or better in the country in eight of the 11 team categories kept by the NCAA. The BG offense finished ranked in the top-20 in total
6 • BOWLING GREEN • 2016 MEN’S SOCCER • 6 FALCON COACHING STAFF
goals (14th), total points (15th) and total assists (17th), and most Several other Falcons finished among the NCAA’s individual leaders importantly, the Falcons were in the top 20 in winning percentage last season, as James, Sullivan, Max Auden and Jacob Roth all were (20th). listed in the top-100 in the nation in at least one statistical category.
The Falcons got off to a strong start in the fall of 2014, with a 9-2-0 In the classroom, the Falcons received the National Soccer Coaches record in early October. A four-match winless streak, however, Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award for the included a tie and a pair of losses in MAC matches. As Halloween fifth consecutive season. The award is given to programs that have approached, the Brown and Orange found their margin for error nearly achieved a minimum team GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. gone. Additionally, Flynn was named to the Academic All-America Second A non-conference win at Detroit on Oct. 29, however, was the first Team in 2014, marking the second-straight season that the Falcons of three consecutive overtime victories, including a surreal win over were represented among that distinguished group (Brandon Silva also Western Michigan that kept BG’s MAC Tournament hopes alive. earned second-team honors in 2013).
That WMU match saw the On the pitch, Flynn and James Falcons fall behind with 15 were named to the NSCAA minutes left in regulation, only All-Great Lakes Region Team to score the tying goal with in 2014, with Flynn earning approximately five minutes first-team honors and James to go. In overtime, though, being named to the third team. the Broncos were awarded a Flynn was the first Falcons to penalty kick, and a goal would earn all-region accolades in 14 end the Falcons’ chances of years. Flynn and James were making the league tournament. joined by Danny Baraldi on the OCSA’s All-Ohio Team, with Falcon ‘keeper Ryan Heuton Flynn again earning first-team saved that WMU PK, however, honors and his two teammates and moments later, BG scored each picking up second-team at the other end of Cochrane accolades. Field for an improbable come- from-behind victory. Ironically, after one of the most successful seasons in recent After a win over Wright State memory, BGSU was the only that allowed BG to keep school without a player named possession of the I-75 Cup, the Falcons picked up a road win over to the All-MAC First Team in 2014. However, a quintet of Falcons Northern Illinois in another must-win game, earning a berth in the earned second-team honors. The total of five honorees was the team’s league tournament. most since 1996, and tied a school record.
In that league tourney, the Falcons posted a fifth-straight one-goal Nichols has worked tirelessly at making Cochrane Stadium an victory (and a fourth overtime win in that time) with another come- entertaining place to be for soccer fans, as well as a difficult place to from-behind win. This time, the victim was West Virginia, and the play for the road team. BGSU’s attendance numbers have steadily Falcons advanced to the league tourney final for the first time since increased during his tenure, and the Falcons have had multiple crowds 2003. of over 2,000 fill the stadium over the last three seasons, including throngs of 3,126 vs. Ohio State and 2,273 against Michigan in 2013. In that championship game, the Brown and Orange took a second-half lead over Akron on the Zips’ home pitch, but the hosts battled back for Nichols also was instrumental in the Cochrane Stadium lights project, a narrow, 2-1 win. Nevertheless, the message had been sent that BG as the Falcons now play nearly all of their matches under the lights, was back. enhancing an already-entertaining game-day atmosphere.
The 2014 team had just three seniors, two of whom battled injuries The Falcons posted a 6-7-6 overall record in 2013, going 2-2-2 in down the stretch. All three seniors played key roles in the Falcons’ MAC play while again playing a strong non-league schedule. The ‘13 success, but Nichols and his staff got numerous contributions from the team scored the most goals (25) since 2003, and allowed the fewest freshman, sophomore and junior classes as well. goals (17) since the ‘01 campaign. The Falcons scored a total of 38 goals in 2014. Individually, Flynn, a sophomore, finished the season ranked among the nation’s top-10 players in no fewer than five categories. Flynn was Nichols and his staff have solidified the Falcons’ defensive corps, third in the nation with six game-winning goals, and he finished fourth as BGSU’s defense allowed fewer goals than the previous year in in the country in goals (14) and fifth in points (32). Flynn, part of the each of his first five seasons. Although the number of goals allowed Falcons’ strong tradition of players from the Naperville, Ill., area, was increased slightly from 2013 (17) to ‘14 (20), BG still allowed less eighth in the nation in both goals per game and points per game in than a goal per game for the second-straight season. Both the 2011 and 2014. ‘12 Falcons had seven shutouts, and the 2013 and ‘14 teams each kept eight clean sheets.
7 • BOWLING GREEN • 2016 MEN’S SOCCER • 7 FALCON COACHING STAFF
The ‘12 campaign saw the Falcons post eight wins against another in a long line of tough schedules for Nichols-coached teams. BGSU’s 8-9- ERIC NICHOLS • YEAR BY YEAR RECORD 3 overall mark represented the team’s most wins and highest winning percentage since 2003. The Brown and Orange posted two wins and a HEAD COACH, OHIO DOMINICAN tie against teams that advanced to the NCAA Championships. Year Overall Conf. Finish 2004 15- 7-0 5-3-0 3rd BGSU went 3-3-1 in MAC play that fall, earning the fourth seed in 2005 10- 7-1 5-3-0 3rd the eight-team conference and a bid to the league tournament. The Falcons fell on the road to the nation’s top-ranked team in the MAC 2006 15- 5-1 7-1-0 2nd Tournament’s semifinal round. 2007 19- 3-0 5-1-0 2nd Totals 59-22-2 (.711) 22-8-0 (.733) The Falcons went undefeated in overtime in 2012, and BG recaptured the I-75 Cup with a victory over Wright State. BGSU had two All- HEAD COACH, BGSU MAC First-Team selections for the first time since 2002. Year Overall MAC Finish The 2011 season saw the Falcons post a 7-8-3 overall record. The 2009 3-12- 3 2- 3-1 5th of 7 seven wins, the program’s highest total since the 2003 season, 2010 6- 9- 3 3- 3-0 T-3rd of 7 included a season-opening victory over ninth-ranked U-M before a crowd of over 2,100 at Cochrane Field. The Brown and Orange 2011 7- 8- 3 1- 4-1 6th of 7 went 4-2-1 at Cochrane, and BGSU’s defense posted a total of seven 2012 8- 9- 3 3- 3-1 T-4th of 8 shutouts on the year, the program’s most in a decade. 2013 6- 7- 6 2- 2-2 T-4th of 7 2014 14- 6- 1 2- 2-1 T-3rd of 6 In 2010, his second season at the helm, Nichols guided the Brown and Orange to an overall mark of 6-9-3 and a MAC ledger of 3-3-0. 2015 9- 9- 1 1- 4-0 6th of 6 BGSU, after being picked to place sixth in the league in the preseason Totals 53-60-20 (.474) 14-21-6 (.415) coaches poll, tied for third in the final regular-season standings and earned the third seed for the MAC Tournament. With just four seniors Overall Head Coaching Totals: 112-82-22, 36-29-6 on the 26-man roster in 2010, Nichols and the Falcons doubled the team’s overall win total from the previous fall. ADDITIONAL COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE That ‘10 roster featured 12 newcomers, including 11 true freshmen. At • Assistant Coach, Ohio Wesleyan – four seasons (2000-04) least nine of those 12 players started two or more matches. That young • Assistant Coach, Davidson College – one season (2008) team was ranked 117th of 204 schools in the final NCAA RPI, after going five years without having a ranking better than 152.
That 2010 team came away with a result (a win or a tie) 50 percent of conference championships and advanced to a pair of NCAA Regional the time, after the Falcons did so in just 33.3% of the 2009 matches. Championships and one Final Four.
Nichols guided his initial Falcon team to a 3-12-3 mark and a 2-3-1 Along with his collegiate coaching experience, Nichols was the head MAC record. That 2009 club narrowly missed out on a top-four coach of the Columbus Crew’s U18 U.S. Soccer Academy team for conference finish and a berth in the league tournament. the 2007-08 season, and also has experience coaching state and region squads in the Olympic Development Program (ODP). He also has a Nichols came to Bowling Green after spending the 2008 season as NSCAA Premier Diploma and a U.S. Soccer “A” License. assistant coach at Davidson College. He also served as recruiting coordinator under head coach Matt Spear. Nichols played collegiately at Ohio State, and played five years of professional soccer for the Columbus Xoggz and Indiana Blast of the Prior to his stint at Davidson, Nichols was the head men’s soccer USISL and the Columbus Invaders of the NPSL. coach at Ohio Dominican University for four seasons (2004-07). Under his guidance, the Panthers recorded a 59-22-2 (.711) overall He is only the fifth head coach in the storied history of the BGSU mark, including a final ranking of fourth in 2007. That team advanced men’s soccer program, which enters its 52nd season in 2016. He all the way to the quarterfinals of the NAIA National Tournament. joins Mickey Cochrane (1965-77), the late Gary Palmisano (1978-92, 1994), Mel Mahler (1993, 1995-2003) and Fred Thompson (2004-08) Nichols guided his final ODU team to a 19-3-0 overall record and was on that list. named the NSCAA/NAIA Midwest Region Coach of the Year and Ohio Coach of the Year in 2007. He was named the American Mideast Nichols earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Conference South Division Coach of the Year in three of his four OSU in 2000. He has taken graduate courses at BGSU. seasons with the Panthers. Nichols and his wife, Marianne, reside in Bowling Green with their Prior to heading to ODU, Nichols served as an assistant coach at Ohio three children, sons Kalen (15) and Braden (6) and daughter Jordan Wesleyan University under Jay Martin. During Nichols’ four years (12). there, the Battling Bishops compiled a mark of 74-14-3, won four
8 • BOWLING GREEN • 2016 MEN’S SOCCER • 8 FALCON COACHING STAFF
ERIC REED ASSISTANT COACH • THIRD SEASON
Eric Reed enters his third season on Heuton and Landsberger each ranked among the top-three goalkeepers the Bowling Green State University in the conference in both GAA and saves percentage. Heuton led the men’s soccer staff in 2016. Reed, who MAC in both categories, with a GAA of just 0.48 and a saves pct. of came to BGSU from Davidson College, .905. Landsberger had a 1.18 GAA and a .750 saves pct. began his duties with the Falcons in early February of 2014. A native of Mission Viejo, Calif., Reed spent two seasons working with the goalkeepers at Davidson prior to joining BG. Reed, who Reed has helped the Falcons win a total played professionally upon his graduation from college, also spent of 23 matches over his first two seasons the 2007 season as the goalkeeper coach with the program. The 2015 team began for both the men’s and women’s soccer the season with five consecutive wins, teams at the University of San Francisco. breaking into the national rankings for Additionally, he has extensive coaching the first time since 1999. The Falcons experience working with various camps, were 24th in the country in the National schools and clubs. Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) poll released on Sept. 8. Reed played for the Charlotte Eagles of the USL Pro League for three seasons, from Also last season, senior Ryan James was 2011-13. He was a finalist for the league’s a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, Goalkeeper-of-the-Year award in both while juniors Pat Flynn and Joe Sullivan 2011 and ‘13 and helped the Eagles to the both were named to the CoSIDA Academic championship game in the latter year. All-America Team. All three student- athletes were among eight Falcons to earn Reed attended UCLA, where he started at Academic All-MAC honors, and James least 16 matches in each of his final three was selected by Sporting Kansas City in seasons. As a junior in 2005, he earned the third round of the MLS SuperDraft. All-Pac-10 First-Team honors as well as NSCAA/adidas All-Far West Third-Team In his first season with the Falcons. all accolades, after leading the Bruins to the Reed did was help the program to one of conference title. In his senior season of the most successful campaigns in recent 2006, Reed recorded shutouts in three of memory while also winning a prestigious five NCAA Tournament games, as UCLA award. Reed was named 2014 Great Lakes advanced all the way to the national Region Assistant Coach of the Year by the championship match. National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Reed earned both All-Pac-10 and Academic All-Pac-10 honors in each Reed helped guide a youthful BG team to 14 wins and a trip to the of his final three seasons at UCLA. He had a career record of 34-12-5, championship match of the Mid-American Conference Tournament in 24 total shutouts and a goals-against average of 0.81. 2014. Reed, who was a was a member of the U.S. U-18 National Team, was Reed, who primarily works with the goalkeepers, joined a BG selected by the California Victory in the 2007 USL First Division program that had lost 10 seniors off of the 2013 team, including a College Player Draft. At the end of that season, Victory fans voted goalkeeper (Michael Wiest) who had started every second of every Reed team MVP. match in both 2012 and ‘13. The 2014 roster featured three ‘keepers who had never played in a competitive match at BG. Reed transferred to USL Second Division outfit Cleveland City Stars, where he helped that club with the USL2 title in 2008. Reed joined the Nichols, Reed and Company, coming off of a 6-7-6 season in 2013, Carolina RailHawks for the 2009 and 2010 seasons, before signing on proceeded to more than double that win total, going 14-6-1. The with the Charlotte Eagles. program’s victory total was the highest in 17 years, and BGSU advanced to the championship match of the MAC Tournament for the Reed, who attended Laguna Hills High School, earned a Bachelor of first time since 2003. Arts degree in Religious Studies from UCLA in 2006. He is active in the community, working with groups that include Missionary Athletes Redshirt sophomore goalkeepers Ryan Heuton and Nick Landsberger International, Athletes in Action and Ambassadors in Sport. and the BGSU defense combined to post eight shutouts in the fall of 2014. The Falcons led the MAC in total shutouts, and BG’s team Reed and his wife, Maria, reside in Bowling Green with their two goals-against average of 0.91 ranked second in the conference. sons, Jeddison (2) and Jameson (born in May of 2016).
9 • BOWLING GREEN • 2016 MEN’S SOCCER • 9 FALCON COACHING STAFF
ZACH MASON ASSISTANT COACH • FIRST SEASON
Zach Mason begins his first season on chosen by a vote of Division I men’s soccer coaches, national soccer the Bowling Green State University media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior men’s soccer staff. Head coach Eric student-athlete in Division I men’s soccer. Nichols announced Mason’s hiring in June of 2016. Mason scored his first career goal on Senior Night against Michigan in front of a packed house at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium, and Mason came to BGSU after a stellar that goal proved to be the game winner in a 3-1 victory over the four-year playing career at Ohio State. Wolverines that clinched the Big Ten title.
“I am very excited to join the BGSU soccer In his junior season, Mason sent the program and thankful to Coach Nichols for Buckeyes to the NCAA’s second round the opportunity,” said Mason. “I have had by converting his penalty kick in the 15th the privilege of playing against BGSU over round of an epic penalty shootout as OSU the past four seasons, and those were some advanced past Akron in the first round. of the toughest matches that I played in. I Mason played over 7,400 career minutes for am looking forward to the upcoming season the Buckeyes. and hope I can contribute to the team’s success.” Mason earned three Academic All-Big Ten and OSU Scholar-Athlete honors, and Mason, a two-time team captain at OSU, also picked up two Big Ten Distinguished helped lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten Scholar awards and one NSCAA All-East Conference title and an NCAA ‘Sweet Scholar recognition. He was named a Big Sixteen’ appearance as a senior in 2015. A Ten Sportsmanship Award winner in 2014, defensive midfielder, he started all 82 of and also participated in the 2015 Bucks Go the team’s matches during his four years Pro Summer Internship Program to further in Columbus, and earned Big Ten All- develop his professional leadership and Tournament Team honors last season after career skills. being part of a Buckeye unit that earned a league-leading 10 clean sheets. A graduate of Big Walnut High School, Mason led the Golden Eagles with 16 goals “Zach is intelligent, motivated, and has and 14 assists as a junior, and captained a great understanding of soccer and team the first team in school history to post an dynamics,” said Nichols. “He has an undefeated regular season. He played club impressive track record of success, but ball for the Columbus Crew Academy, and what attracts me to Zach above all else is was named both the organization’s U-16 his character. Everything about him fits and U-18 Player of the Year during his our culture extremely well and he will tenure there. undoubtedly help push this program to the next level.” Mason earned a bachelor’s degree in operations management at Ohio State in 2016. Mason, a native of Galena, Ohio, was the winner of the 2015 Senior CLASS Award® in NCAA Division I men’s soccer. The award,
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JASON SAMUELSEN DIR. OF OPERATIONS • THIRD SEASON
Jason Samuelsen enters his third season with the BGSU men’s soccer program. After serving as a student manager in 2014, Samuelsen is beginning his second season as the director of soccer operations for head coach Eric Nichols and the Falcons.
In Samuelsen’s first year with the program, the Falcons put together one of the most successful seasons in the last few decades. BG went 14-6-1 overall and tied for third in the MAC with a 2-2-1 league ledger.
The 2014 Falcons finished with a winning record for the first time in 14 years, and the overall win total was the program’s highest in 17 seasons. BGSU more than doubled the previous season’s win total, and the Falcons advanced to the championship match of the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2003.
BGSU has won a total of 23 matches over Samuelsen’s first two seasons with the program.
Samuelsen, a native of Rapid City, S.D., is a graduate of Stevens H.S., where he played varsity soccer for two seasons. In 2013, the Raiders had a record of 9-1-0 in the regular season and reached the championship game of the South Dakota state tournament.
Samuelsen, a junior at the University, is a sport management major. He played club ball for Rushmore Soccer Club for six years, and obtained his E coaching license in the winter of 2013.
RAMI ALAZHARI STUDENT MANAGER • SECOND SEASON
Rami Alazhari enters his second season as a student manager with the BGSU men’s soccer program. He helps head coach Eric Nichols and his staff with a myriad of duties at practices, in the office and on match day.
Alazhari, a native of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is a senior at BGSU, and is majoring in sport management. He was a goalkeeper for the Manila Nomads youth team, and also played for the Manila Nomads Braves. Alazhari was named the Braves’ Player of the Year in 2011.
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MARY ANKROM ATHLETIC TRAINING • SECOND SEASON
Mary Ankrom enters her second season as a graduate assistant in athletic training at Bowling Green State University. She works primarily with the softball and men’s soccer programs.
Ankrom came to BGSU after spending the 2014-15 academic year at fellow Mid-American Conference member Miami University. She was an athletic training intern with the RedHawks, working with the swimming and diving program.
Ankrom, a native of Geneva, Ohio, earned her undergraduate degree in athletic training from Ashland University, graduating in 2014. She is a sport administration major at BGSU, and is scheduled to earn her master’s degree in sport administration in 2017.
MEDIA INFORMATION
BGSU men’s soccer releases and other information can be accessed RADIO, TV & INTERNET BROADCASTS via the internet. Log on to BGSUFalcons.com to receive information Requests for permission to broadcast must be made to Mike Cihon at on all 18 of BGSU’s intercollegiate sports. The men’s soccer site least one week prior to the match. includes a schedule, roster, all press releases (usually in portable document [.pdf] as well as text format), results (including boxscores) and up-to-date statistics as well as historical program information and PHOTOGRAPHERS other Falcon men’s soccer tidbits. Members of the media can request While admission is free, photographers and videographers will need to receive releases and notes via e-mail by contacting BGSU men’s a credential to shoot from the sidelines. Please see a member of the soccer SID Mike Cihon ([email protected]). BGSU athletic communications or soccer game operations staff prior to the match. Photographers may not stand in the team bench areas, and may not block the view of fans at any time. CREDENTIALS / PRESS BOX SEATING Admission to BGSU home soccer matches is free, but press box space is limited. Press and photo credentials for Falcon home soccer DIRECTIONS & PARKING events SHOULD BE REQUESTED AT LEAST ONE WEEK IN The quickest way to Cochrane Stadium is via Interstate 75. Take exit ADVANCE. Seating is limited to working press only. Requests should 181 off of I-75 and head west (toward Doyt Perry [football] Stadium) be directed to... on Wooster Street. Turn right at the second light (Mercer Road). Mike Cihon, BGSU Athletic Communications Proceed past the BGSU Ice Arena and turn right on Stadium Drive. 247 Perry Stadium East The Cochrane Stadium parking area will be on your right, past the Ice Bowling Green, Ohio 43403-0030 Arena but before you reach Perry Stadium. Parking is free. [email protected] NOTE: In the event of inclement weather, fans and media members may be asked to park in the BGSU Ice Arena, ice arena overflow or INTERVIEWS Perry Stadium lots. All interviews with players and coaches should be arranged through the athletic communications office.Please allow at least 24 hours (longer, if possible) to set up interviews. Phone numbers for POST-GAME INTERVIEWS student-athletes (in any sport) will not be made available. Student- Post-game interviews will be conducted on the field, approximately athletes will not be asked to miss class for any interviews or media 10 minutes after the conclusion of the game unless circumstances opportunities. Arrangements will be made for telephone and/or in- dictate otherwise. Contact Mike Cihon or a member of the athletic person interviews at a mutually-agreeable time. communications staff to set up an interview with Coach Eric Nichols or a BGSU men’s soccer student-athlete.
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