Photo by: ©2023 The Ohio State University
Trejo Looking Forward to Facing Big Ten Foes
9/18/2025 7:10:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Buckeyes open league play on the road against MSU, Rutgers
Columbus, Ohio – The Big Ten schedule is underway as Ohio State begins its 10-game stretch against conference teams Friday against Michigan State.
There's nothing quite like Big Ten competition; postseason potential, hard-fought wins and fierce rivalries, it just means more.
As the Buckeyes enter the bulk of their season, the defending champs have installed a similar mindset from last year--to treat every game as the biggest, head coach Brian Maisonneuve said.
"We talked about having a championship mentality, just in terms of being focused on those 90 minutes," Maisonneuve said. "In the Big Ten you're playing for a championship every game. You can't let one slip through because it's so tight."
Ohio State shared the regular season title in 2024 with Indiana, finishing 7-1-2 in conference play. The Buckeyes then defeated Washington (3-1) and Michigan (1-0) to win their first Big Ten Championship since 2009.
But this year's squad looks a bit different. Ohio State lost several players from the 2024 roster, including MAC Hermann Trophy winner, Michael Adedokun. As a result, the team has spent the early part of the season adapting to new play styles and working to form its identity.
That transformation hasn't gone unnoticed by redshirt senior goalkeeper Max Trejo, who sees the team's development from the best view on the field.
"We lost a lot of pieces, so it's definitely been an adjustment to get used to," Trejo said. "But I think this team is very talented and super hard working. I think as each game goes on, we feel like that team we had last year."
Against Butler, the Buckeyes put together their most complete performance in a 4-0 win. It was Trejo's second clean sheet of the season, recording three saves against nine shots.
Entering conference play, Trejo said each year he has had a different outlook toward Big Ten opponents, but the desire remains the same, win.
"There's definitely a lot of games I'm looking forward to," Trejo said. "I think in all of them, I'll still have that same chip on my shoulder and try and get a win against each team."
Looking ahead in the schedule, the Buckeyes will face back-to-back matches against ranked Big Ten opponents, No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers Oct. 10 on the road and then No. 8 Michigan Oct. 14 at home.
The Big Ten is wide open and difficult stretches like these define conference play.
"I think everybody in the conference thinks they can win it, and they can," Maisonneuve said. "The parity in the Big Ten is unbelievable."
There's nothing quite like Big Ten competition; postseason potential, hard-fought wins and fierce rivalries, it just means more.
As the Buckeyes enter the bulk of their season, the defending champs have installed a similar mindset from last year--to treat every game as the biggest, head coach Brian Maisonneuve said.
"We talked about having a championship mentality, just in terms of being focused on those 90 minutes," Maisonneuve said. "In the Big Ten you're playing for a championship every game. You can't let one slip through because it's so tight."
Ohio State shared the regular season title in 2024 with Indiana, finishing 7-1-2 in conference play. The Buckeyes then defeated Washington (3-1) and Michigan (1-0) to win their first Big Ten Championship since 2009.
But this year's squad looks a bit different. Ohio State lost several players from the 2024 roster, including MAC Hermann Trophy winner, Michael Adedokun. As a result, the team has spent the early part of the season adapting to new play styles and working to form its identity.
That transformation hasn't gone unnoticed by redshirt senior goalkeeper Max Trejo, who sees the team's development from the best view on the field.
"We lost a lot of pieces, so it's definitely been an adjustment to get used to," Trejo said. "But I think this team is very talented and super hard working. I think as each game goes on, we feel like that team we had last year."
Against Butler, the Buckeyes put together their most complete performance in a 4-0 win. It was Trejo's second clean sheet of the season, recording three saves against nine shots.
Entering conference play, Trejo said each year he has had a different outlook toward Big Ten opponents, but the desire remains the same, win.
"There's definitely a lot of games I'm looking forward to," Trejo said. "I think in all of them, I'll still have that same chip on my shoulder and try and get a win against each team."
Looking ahead in the schedule, the Buckeyes will face back-to-back matches against ranked Big Ten opponents, No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers Oct. 10 on the road and then No. 8 Michigan Oct. 14 at home.
The Big Ten is wide open and difficult stretches like these define conference play.
"I think everybody in the conference thinks they can win it, and they can," Maisonneuve said. "The parity in the Big Ten is unbelievable."
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