COCHRANE STADIUM The Bowling Green State University women’s soccer program is a quarter century old, but a rich soccer tradition already existed at the University upon the team’s debut in 1997. One of the many resources available to the women’s program is the opportunity to play on one of the Midwest’s finest fields. Mickey Cochrane Stadium, known nationally as one of the country’s outstanding soccer facilities, has become even better in recent years thanks in part to a multiple-phase project designed to enhance the current complex. One of the most recent phases of the improvements was the installation of lights at the Cochrane Stadium complex, giving both the men’s and women’s soccer teams the opportunity for home games under the lights. The lights allow for more flexibility in scheduling and enhance the atmosphere at home matches. The money for the $400,000 project was raised through donations, with nearly all of the funds donated by men’s soccer alumni, who have a proud history of over five decades at the University. The lights project was completed in the fall of 2011, and the first night game was the women’s soccer match vs. Western Michigan on Oct. 21, 2011. In 2010, via donations raised by both the men’s and women’s programs, World Cup-style goals were added, as well as orange wind screens and covered benches that enhanced the appearance of the Cochrane Stadium complex. The athletics department also made upgrades to the scoreboard in time for the season that fall. Just prior to the debut of the women’s team, an upgrade to the field had seen the construction of 700 permanent seats on the west side of the main playing area. The stadium renovation project, financed entirely with private funds, was officially dedicated on Sept. 10, 1995, prior to the men’s soccer home opener. A spacious press box was finished a month later. With the addition of portable bleachers from the old grandstand, the complex can seat up to 1,500 spectators. The initial phase of the plan, which was finished back in 1993, consisted of the main playing field being completely enclosed with fencing, landscaping with shrubbery, and signage decoration. New flag staffs and team benches were also added over the course of the season. Phase II began in 1994 with the installation of a new scoreboard and additional signage. The field renovation project was originally conceived in 1988 by former Falcon men’s head coach Gary Palmisano, who passed away in December of 1994. Under his guidance, hard work, and patience, his vision became a reality with the initiation of Phase I.
In November of 2005, the Falcons hosted the MAC Tournament’s semifinal and championship rounds for the first time in school history. BGSU advanced past Miami and Kent State (above) at Cochrane Stadium to earn the MAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
Cochrane Stadium, dedicated Oct. 11, 1980, in honor of BGSU’s first men’s varsity soccer coach, has been the home of the Falcons men’s soccer team since 1966 and has also served as the site of the United States Youth Soccer Association’s Olympic Development Program (ODP) Region II camps. Additionally, Cochrane has hosted several high school girls soccer regional tournament games in recent years. The Falcons definitely have an ideal situation for their players to improve their skills, with the availability of multiple outdoor practice fields in addition to the Cochrane Stadium pitch. The programs also utilize the Field House and its 100-yard indoor turf room and 200-meter track wing for winter conditioning. Prior to the 1997 campaign, a new practice field was added to the complex. That field was resodded and a sprinkler system was added in preparation for BGSU’s inaugural season of women’s soccer. The Sebo Athletic Center, located in the north end zone of Doyt L. Perry Stadium, provides all BGSU student-athletes a place to reach their potential. The building features an expanded sports medicine and rehabilitation facility as well as a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning area for student-athletes in all 18 varsity sports. In 2005, Cochrane was the home of the MAC Women’s Soccer Tournament’s semifinal and championship rounds for the first time. After winning the regular-season title, BGSU advanced past Toledo in the tourney’s quarterfinal round to earn the right to host the subsequent rounds. After downing Miami in the semifinals, the Brown and Orange advanced past Kent State via penalty kicks in the regionally-televised championship match. The 2017 team earned the right to host a MAC Tournament quarterfinalround matchup and proceeded to capture a thrilling come-from-behind win over Buffalo. In 2018, Matt Fannon’s Falcons captured the MAC regular-season title, earning the right to host the league tournament. BGSU downed Eastern Michigan and Ohio to advance to the championship match, and after battling Ball State to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes of action, the Brown and Orange came from behind during the penalty-kick phase to win the championship before a capacity crowd.
The 2018 senior class helped the Falcons capture the MAC Tournament title on the Cochrane Stadium pitch.
6 • BGSU FALCONS • 2021 WOMEN’S SOCCER
Then, in 2019, the Falcons did it again! BGSU went 10-1-0 in MAC play, becoming the first program in MAC history to post a double-digit conference win total in back-to-back seasons. Once again, the Falcons
