Dayton Christian grad drafted by Crew in second round

“I’m ecstatic for Jake to have been selected by the Crew,” said Bowling Green coach Eric Nichols said in a press release. “It’s a class organization from the top down. (Columbus head coach) Caleb Porter is the kind of coach who can get the best out of young players, and I think he and Jake will get on very well.

“The Crew clearly did their homework, and they have gotten themselves an exceptional player and an exceptional young man in Jake Erlandson. Jake has some great opportunities and challenges ahead, and I know he will attack those challenges and will find great success.”

Erlandson scored 97 goals and tallied 56 assists in his high school career. He was a four-year letter-winner at Dayton Christian, which was 37-13-7 in his final three seasons.

Erlandson started his college career at Huntington University, a NAIA school in Indiana. In three seasons, he had 21 points. He transferred to Bowling Green for the 2020 season and started all 13 games. This past fall, he was a team captain, an All-Mid-American Conference first-team selection and was one of 44 players invited to the MLS College Soccer Showcase in December. He tied for the team lead with six goals.