Photo courtesy of gobonnies.com
BY: JOHN NELSON AND SEAN WALLACE
Despite a nine-year playoff drought, St. Bonaventure University men’s soccer head coach Mick Giordano and his players remain optimistic about competing in the Atlantic 10 following a 3-2-2 start.
“The biggest difference right now has been our in-game defending,” said Giordano. “We have work to do still and room to grow, but our defending, especially on set pieces, has been an enhanced quality this team has demonstrated consistently. The entire returning group has worked hard since the spring, and every player has improved.”
Giordano enters his second season leading Bonaventure after spending five seasons coaching UNC Asheville.
“We need to continue to work on our in-possession decision making and creating attacking chances,” said Giordano. “We cannot become complacent with the defending aspect in the game. It has helped us find an okay start to the season, but there is a long way to go if we want to compete in the A10.”
Senior goalkeeper Alex Ohmart, a psychology major, discussed the biggest differences between this year’s team and previous seasons.
“It’s the belief the group has,” said Ohamrt. “We’ve had a lot of talent in previous years, but never this much collective buy-in that we can do something special, which in my opinion is going to take us so far this year.”
Senior midfielder Jack Steel, a native of London, England, discussed the momentum gained from competing and drawing with Boston College.
“That was massive for us,” said Steel. “We made a statement to everyone who has little to no belief in us that we are meant for games like that, and we can compete with whoever is in front of us,” said Steel.
He ranks third among the team in scoring with two points this season.
“We take it game by game, and every single game is big for us no matter who we come up against. We prepare the same and attack it as if it were a conference final,” said Steel.
Senior midfielder Kyle MacFarlane, a sports studies major from Glasgow, Scotland, also discussed the draw with Boston College.
“Although we didn’t come away with the win, going toe to toe with a program like Boston College should give us belief in what we’re capable of,” said MacFarlane.
He ranks third among the team in scoring with a goal and an assist.
“It shows that if we stick to our principles and our values we can perform on any level,” said MacFarlane. “At the same time, this sets a standard within our program for this season going forward. Hopefully next time we come away with the win,” said MacFarlane.
Sophomore forward Ryan Holt, a native of London, England, discussed something special about the team that often goes unnoticed.
“People don’t realize how close everyone is off the pitch,” said Holt. “I think you can see that connection when we play, whether that’s the tackles we make for each other, the passes and combinations, or the way we celebrate together. Having a locker room where everyone is genuinely close is rare, and I think it’s a big strength of this team.”
Junior goalkeeper Winston Jory, a native of Brisbane, Australia, also highlighted a quality of the team that fans might not always notice.
“Our commitment to each other is something fans might not recognize,” said Jory. “Of course I can’t speak for what goes on in players heads, but through action, it’s clear that nobody puts themselves above others.”
Jory posted three shutouts this season. Before transferring to Bonaventure, he started 35 games at Feather River College, recording 122 saves and 19 shutouts.
“The coaches and the leadership group have a desire for our team to be more of a family, and that has shown through the little actions before and after practice, on match days, and every moment away from the locker room,” said Jory.
The Bonnies travel to Davidson College for a 7 p.m. matchup on Sept. 26 at Alumni Soccer Stadium in Davidson, North Carolina.
***stats as of Sept. 21***
