Bowling Green State University Athletics
France, to the SEC, to BG – Timea Thorel’s Journey From Pitch to Pitch
September 14, 2026 | Women's Soccer
For sophomore Timea Thorel, the pitch is home, even if it's from across the world. The sophomore midfielder from Clamart, France, didn't start her college soccer career with Bowling Green, and growing up, she played the sport she loved any chance she could get.
"I started around nine or 10 years old, in France," said Thorel. "I used to play a lot in the recreation at school with my friend. I said, 'Yeah, Mom, Dad, I want to play.' We had a team in my small city. I was like, 'Okay, let's go!' I love it.'"
In France, sports aren't as predominant as in the United States. Thorel knew she wanted to stay active and try anything she could.
"I tried a lot," noted Thorel. "I used to do track and field, just to help me with running and stuff. I tried gymnastics. I did handball, basketball."
Her dad coaches tennis back home. Of course, playing was necessary.
"For him," she said with laughter.
Approaching graduation in spring of 2025, Thorel didn't know what her next step in her academic or soccer career would be.
"To be fair, I didn't really know, for school, what I wanted to do in France, so it (American college) was a good way to do school and soccer because in France, we don't have school like that," Thorel said. "It's hard to go to school and training; that's better for managing the time."
After graduating from Lycée Les Arcades, it was time to make a decision on what was next for her. Thorel's mother helped her make the decision to play in college in America.
"My mom helped me a lot. She said, 'That's a good experience to do that,'" Thorel said.
Her first season on American soil was for the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). She appeared in 10 games, played 399 minutes and started three matches for the Rebels in the fall of 2025.
Utilizing the transfer portal, Thorel moved north to play soccer for head coach Chris Fox and Bowling Green. She was on the Falcons' radar from the beginning.
"To be fair, Steven (Steven Samuel, BGSU women's soccer associate head coach) called me before and was the first one. I had Ole Miss call after," Thorel said of her initial recruiting.
Fox was excited to bring in a player with SEC and international playing experience.
"She's just a very clean, very technical, intelligent soccer player," Fox said. "She's comfortable on the ball. Being able to do that as a freshman in the SEC, she obviously played a lot of games, is obviously very exciting for us."
Thorel's goal for her second collegiate season is simple.
"Pleasure on the field. Get some minutes on the field too. Growth, manage my time, school, focus on my homework. Just enjoy it," Thorel said.
Fighting for playing time is a main objective. Competing in training sessions against the current starting midfielders Emme Butera, Audrey Oliver and Minah Syam have been beneficial to her growth as a player.
Senior Emme Butera has played in every match since arriving in 2023, earning multiple recognitions as an all-MAC level midfielder. Senior Audrey Oliver is one of the Falcon's strongest competitors, finding ways to score, assist and defend. Junior Minah Syam was named MAC's All-Freshman Team last season and has brought grittiness to every match in the 2026 season.
They all helped the team reach the finals of the 2025 MAC tournament, coming up short 1-0 against Western Michigan before Thorel joined the Orange and Brown.
Since arriving at Bowling Green, Thorel's only gameplay has been 20 minutes during the season-opening victory against Robert Morris.
However, Fox sees her international playing style as something that is rewarding for other players around her as well as the team culture.
"We are obviously a possession-oriented side, so we need technical, creative, intelligent players that fit," Fox explained. "I think a lot of times, internationals, they have a deep-rooted passion for the game. They watch it, they love it, they live and breathe it every single day."
As for the 2026 season, Fox and his coaching staff see plenty of potential, opportunities for growth and minutes in Thorel's future.
"Right now, she's got all the technical qualities … If she's able to assimilate to our team, our game model, our tactics, and can execute those things, I think she's got a very bright future," said Fox on Thorel's career at Bowling Green.
Moving from a town located right outside of Paris, France, to the southern United States, to the Midwest, Thorel has earned a taste of a broad American culture through her long transition.
"Everything is bigger here! People are so kind and positive," Thorel said.
The reigning MAC tournament runners-up have welcomed her into the squad with open arms.
"Everyone is perfect, kind and welcoming," Thorel said.
She has been able to interact with other student-athletes from France who also play for the Orange and Brown, a few but present contingent.
"I met some (French BGSU athletes)," Thorel mentioned. "The men's soccer team, a swimmer, a volleyball player and a basketball player."
As just a sophomore, there is much more soccer left to be played. Thorel's on-field goals reflect the legacy she wishes to leave at Cochrane Stadium.
"I want my teammates to remember me as someone funny and kind, as they always say," said Thorel. "Someone who always had a smile and a sunny personality."
