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Bowling Green State University Athletics
Photo by: Mallory Hiser, BGSU Athletics
Back-to-Back MAC Champions Adjusting to 'New Normal'
September 15, 2020 | Women's Soccer
Women’s Soccer Falcons Look Forward to the Chance to Defend the 2019 Conference Title
For the Bowling Green State University women's soccer team, just like for nearly everyone else in the nation and the world, things have been a little different this fall.
The Falcons have been practicing for nearly a month and a half, but the two-time defending Mid-American Conference champions have no idea when they will get the opportunity to defend those championships.
In early August, the MAC announced the postponement of all scheduled fall contests, as well as MAC championships, due to continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The team, however, has been practicing since early August, and the time on the pitch has given first-year Falcon head coach Jimmy Walker, his staff and his players a sense of normalcy for a few hours each week.
"It was fantastic to get back on the field in August with our players and coaches," said Walker, who was hired in late January after two successful seasons at the nearby University of Findlay. "As much as we enjoyed our interactions on Zoom, there is nothing like being on the field developing relationships with our players and staff. We have seen a great progression over the first five weeks of workouts, and we continue to improve and get better."
Walker's transition to BGSU seemingly could not have been easier. A graduate of Tiffin University, he has spent the bulk of the last three decades in Northwest Ohio, with coaching stints at his alma mater as well as UF. Walker spent eight years as Executive Director of Coaching at Pacesetter Soccer Club in Sylvania, and had even spent a season (2011) on the BGSU women's soccer staff, as an assistant coach under Andy Richards.
Upon accepting the BGSU job, Walker and his family didn't even have to move, as they already lived in Bowling Green. Dani Johnson, a Toledo native and Walker's assistant for two years at Findlay, joined the Falcons' staff, and Scott Rissler (assistant coach/goalkeepers) and Erik Van Der Meulen (volunteer assistant) joined director of operations Bernie Compton to round out Walker's staff.
Just as the new staff was getting to know the players, and just as the Falcons were preparing for the spring 2020 season, COVID-19 changed everything in mid-March. The University suspended face-to-face classes and transitioned to remote learning, and the spring schedule was scuttled.
In early August, the women's soccer student-athletes were cleared to return to campus, and after a period of quarantining, were permitted to begin practicing. Senior Sophia Barnes and her teammates were grateful for the opportunity to get together once again.
"We are extremely thankful to be on the field, even with some new guidelines," said Barnes, who along with her fellow fourth-year Falcons has helped the team to records of 41-18-7 overall, 26-6-1 in MAC regular-season matches and 32-7-3 in all games vs. conference competition. "Although we wish we could be playing under the lights at Cochrane Stadium and competing for another MAC Championship this fall, we are grateful to be with each other, to be healthy, and to be playing soccer.
"We are excited to have five months to sharpen up our skills and bond with our new players to be back in the spring. The staff continuously motivates us to be the best we can every time we step on the field, and I cannot wait to play for this coaching staff and my teammates for one last season!"
Senior Nikki Cox, in her third season at BGSU, also is enthusiastic about Walker and his staff.
"It can be hard to stay motivated and excited for each practice, when you know you could go over a year without playing an opponent," said Cox, who finished second on the team in both goals (nine) and points (23) last fall. "However, this coaching staff has been amazing about keeping practices competitive and fun while also making sure we aren't getting burnt out. We've gotten to play a number of intra-squad scrimmages and you can see us improving each time, which is a testament to the new coaching staff. It's been a grind, but we're all excited to see how far we will go."
Redshirt junior Gabriella Magallanes missed the 2019 season due to injury, but like her teammates has enjoyed returning to the field this fall.
"It's been great to get to be back on the field," said the Pomona, Calif., native. "The staff brings incredible energy to every training session, and they encourage player development that goes way beyond the pitch day in and day out. They're a great addition to our family here at Bowling Green, and I am excited to see what season will have in store for us as a squad!"
Sophomore Kennedy White led the team with 10 goals in her initial season in the Orange and Brown, as the Falcons found the back of the net a school-record 46 times last fall.
"These first few weeks of practice have been awesome and very eye-opening," said White. "Although there is a lot of uncertainty right now, the staff has been nothing but great with practice preparation and making sure we are improving every single day. The environment we are put in at every practice is setting us up for a great year and I can't wait to see how much we improve over the next couple weeks!"
Rissler and the staff have been pleased with their first few months with the program and their first few weeks on the practice pitch. "It has been a great experience working with the team and staff so far," said the Duquesne University graduate. "We have been learning and growing together on the field every day. The standards that the student-athletes have for themselves, their teammates and the coaches show me that this group has the potential to do some great things!"
The Falcons have advanced to the championship match of the MAC Tournament in each of the last three seasons, winning the title in both 2018 and '19. That streak, however, will come to an end, as the conference office announced the suspension of postseason tournaments in several sports, including women's soccer, for at least the next four years. But, the players and coaches are looking forward to a chance to defend the regular-season championship. BGSU went 10-1-0 in conference play last fall, in the process becoming the first women's soccer program in MAC history to post a double-digit conference win total in back-to-back seasons.
Whenever the next opportunity to play an opponent other than themselves presents itself, Walker and the Falcons will be ready.
"The phrase 'iron sharpens iron' best summarizes our current climate," said Walker. "Our student-athletes have a great attitude and work ethic and our sessions have been highly competitive. Despite the uncertain times, our team spirit has been great and these young women have been doing everything we ask from them.
"As head coach, it is a blessing to work with such a fantastic group of women and a very committed staff. We can't wait for the opportunity to get back onto the pitch and represent our program, our University and our community!"
The Falcons have been practicing for nearly a month and a half, but the two-time defending Mid-American Conference champions have no idea when they will get the opportunity to defend those championships.
In early August, the MAC announced the postponement of all scheduled fall contests, as well as MAC championships, due to continuing concerns related to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The team, however, has been practicing since early August, and the time on the pitch has given first-year Falcon head coach Jimmy Walker, his staff and his players a sense of normalcy for a few hours each week.
"It was fantastic to get back on the field in August with our players and coaches," said Walker, who was hired in late January after two successful seasons at the nearby University of Findlay. "As much as we enjoyed our interactions on Zoom, there is nothing like being on the field developing relationships with our players and staff. We have seen a great progression over the first five weeks of workouts, and we continue to improve and get better."
Walker's transition to BGSU seemingly could not have been easier. A graduate of Tiffin University, he has spent the bulk of the last three decades in Northwest Ohio, with coaching stints at his alma mater as well as UF. Walker spent eight years as Executive Director of Coaching at Pacesetter Soccer Club in Sylvania, and had even spent a season (2011) on the BGSU women's soccer staff, as an assistant coach under Andy Richards.
Upon accepting the BGSU job, Walker and his family didn't even have to move, as they already lived in Bowling Green. Dani Johnson, a Toledo native and Walker's assistant for two years at Findlay, joined the Falcons' staff, and Scott Rissler (assistant coach/goalkeepers) and Erik Van Der Meulen (volunteer assistant) joined director of operations Bernie Compton to round out Walker's staff.
Just as the new staff was getting to know the players, and just as the Falcons were preparing for the spring 2020 season, COVID-19 changed everything in mid-March. The University suspended face-to-face classes and transitioned to remote learning, and the spring schedule was scuttled.
In early August, the women's soccer student-athletes were cleared to return to campus, and after a period of quarantining, were permitted to begin practicing. Senior Sophia Barnes and her teammates were grateful for the opportunity to get together once again.
"We are extremely thankful to be on the field, even with some new guidelines," said Barnes, who along with her fellow fourth-year Falcons has helped the team to records of 41-18-7 overall, 26-6-1 in MAC regular-season matches and 32-7-3 in all games vs. conference competition. "Although we wish we could be playing under the lights at Cochrane Stadium and competing for another MAC Championship this fall, we are grateful to be with each other, to be healthy, and to be playing soccer.
"We are excited to have five months to sharpen up our skills and bond with our new players to be back in the spring. The staff continuously motivates us to be the best we can every time we step on the field, and I cannot wait to play for this coaching staff and my teammates for one last season!"
Senior Nikki Cox, in her third season at BGSU, also is enthusiastic about Walker and his staff.
"It can be hard to stay motivated and excited for each practice, when you know you could go over a year without playing an opponent," said Cox, who finished second on the team in both goals (nine) and points (23) last fall. "However, this coaching staff has been amazing about keeping practices competitive and fun while also making sure we aren't getting burnt out. We've gotten to play a number of intra-squad scrimmages and you can see us improving each time, which is a testament to the new coaching staff. It's been a grind, but we're all excited to see how far we will go."
Redshirt junior Gabriella Magallanes missed the 2019 season due to injury, but like her teammates has enjoyed returning to the field this fall.
"It's been great to get to be back on the field," said the Pomona, Calif., native. "The staff brings incredible energy to every training session, and they encourage player development that goes way beyond the pitch day in and day out. They're a great addition to our family here at Bowling Green, and I am excited to see what season will have in store for us as a squad!"
Sophomore Kennedy White led the team with 10 goals in her initial season in the Orange and Brown, as the Falcons found the back of the net a school-record 46 times last fall.
"These first few weeks of practice have been awesome and very eye-opening," said White. "Although there is a lot of uncertainty right now, the staff has been nothing but great with practice preparation and making sure we are improving every single day. The environment we are put in at every practice is setting us up for a great year and I can't wait to see how much we improve over the next couple weeks!"
Rissler and the staff have been pleased with their first few months with the program and their first few weeks on the practice pitch. "It has been a great experience working with the team and staff so far," said the Duquesne University graduate. "We have been learning and growing together on the field every day. The standards that the student-athletes have for themselves, their teammates and the coaches show me that this group has the potential to do some great things!"
The Falcons have advanced to the championship match of the MAC Tournament in each of the last three seasons, winning the title in both 2018 and '19. That streak, however, will come to an end, as the conference office announced the suspension of postseason tournaments in several sports, including women's soccer, for at least the next four years. But, the players and coaches are looking forward to a chance to defend the regular-season championship. BGSU went 10-1-0 in conference play last fall, in the process becoming the first women's soccer program in MAC history to post a double-digit conference win total in back-to-back seasons.
Whenever the next opportunity to play an opponent other than themselves presents itself, Walker and the Falcons will be ready.
"The phrase 'iron sharpens iron' best summarizes our current climate," said Walker. "Our student-athletes have a great attitude and work ethic and our sessions have been highly competitive. Despite the uncertain times, our team spirit has been great and these young women have been doing everything we ask from them.
"As head coach, it is a blessing to work with such a fantastic group of women and a very committed staff. We can't wait for the opportunity to get back onto the pitch and represent our program, our University and our community!"
Players Mentioned
Chris Fox Post-Match Interview (Sept. 21, 2025)
Sunday, September 21
Christie Fransen Post-Match Interview (Sept. 21, 2025)
Sunday, September 21
Lexi White Post-Match Interview (Sept. 21, 2025)
Sunday, September 21
Emme Butera Post-Match Interview (Sept. 14, 2025)
Monday, September 15