Captains Earn Role with Experience, Leadership

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Midfielder Luciano Pechota along with defenders Nathan Demian and Thomas Gilej have combined for 144 games started over their careers at Ohio State entering the match against No. 11 Akron Friday. That experience was rewarded by their 2025 teammates when the trio earned captain status following a team vote.

The captain selection process isn't solely based on the coaches' opinion, the players have a say on who they want to lead their team, Brian Maisonneuve, head coach of the Buckeyes, said. He had a feeling Pechota, Demian and Gilej were destined to lead.

"The three guys that ended up on top were the three that we kind of thought would be," Maisonneuve said. "They all bring a little bit of a different leadership style."

Gilej is the longest tenured Buckeye, entering the 2025 season as a graduate student. He has started 52 games and served as the defensive anchor for the 2024 team that won both the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles before advancing to the College Cup semifinals. He set a career high with 1,332 minutes played last year.

"I've been here for five and a half years and I've seen the growth of the team," Gilej said. "And to still have that trust from Coach Maisonneuve to elevate me to a bigger role for my teammates means a lot. It means the most."

At 6-foot-3, Gilej's frame may intimidate opponents but his soccer IQ makes him even taller on the field.

"Tommy has that leadership," Maisonneuve said. "When he speaks, guys know that he has that maturity, he has that experience and he has that knowledge of the game."

Pechota has started 47-consecutive games dating back to his freshman year, an incredible showing of durability and reliability. In 2024, he recorded career highs with 1,698 minutes, five goals and seven assists – seven more assists than in 2023. He embraces the captain role not just for himself but for the team.

"For me, it's obviously an honor but I want to give back to the team," Pechota said. " I want to lead the team and help us get wins. The biggest thing for me is to lead by example."

Pechota was named to the 2025 Midfielder Watch List by the United Soccer Coaches before the season. He takes on a bigger role than a player on the field, often instructing and directing his teammates, Maisonneuve said.

Demian's story showcases his leadership and character. He has 45 career starts at Ohio State. In 2023, Demian was sidelined with an injury before he returned to action in 2024 recording 12 starts and helping to limit opponents to 0.86 goals per game. Ohio State allowed one or fewer goals in 11 of his appearances, helping the Buckeyes reach the College Cup as the No. 1 seed.

Then life took an unexpected turn. Demian was struck by a stray bullet, ending his season just days before the Buckeyes were to leave for the College Cup. He didn't just fight to get back on the field, he fought for life. He endured four surgeries with multiple complications, and yet after all the time in recovery, he decided to come and battle for his team for another season. Earning his captain role with both his play on the field and his courage off it.

"Nate's ultra-competitive and ultra-emotional in a really good way," Maisonneuve said. "He's got a voice in the locker room and he just loves to win."

Last year, Demian was forced to miss the season two games short of the title. This year he has the same goal for the team, a goal that Gilej, Pechota and Demian all share.

"If you don't want to win a National Championship then maybe this isn't the right place for you," Demian said. "We were close last year. I think the goal this year should be to finish that job."

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