By Bobby Gallaagher
Contributing Writer
Despite an 0-5-1 start, the St. Bonaventure women’s soccer team is optimistic and focused on winning its upcoming games.
“We have to walk into every game like we can win,” said Coach Manoj Khettry.
The Bonnies play at Hofstra on Friday.
“Hofstra is a very physical team,” Khettry said. “They aren’t the most athletic team but they will fight to the nail. They are used to competing and used to winning. They beat Ohio State in the first game of the year. I think it’s going to be a really difficult, and physical battle.”
The Bonnies are young with eight freshmen, but Coach Manoj is confident the young players’ experiences will help them significantly.
“We’re gaining a lot of experience, and positive experience gives players confidence,” Khettry said. “It’s good for young players to play against the older and more experienced players.”
Khettry described there is a notable gap in competition from Division I college soccer to high school soccer.
“One of the things young players have to learn is that coming into a Division I environment is a significant jump in competition,” Khettry said. “They have the athletic ability and in many cases they have the technical ability, but what they may not be used to is competing on a daily basis.”
Coach Khettry expects leadership from his 11 juniors and seniors, and says that the next four games will tell him a lot about his team and how the season will turn out.
“They have to lead and I think for some of them it’s their first opportunity to lead, because we had eight seniors last year,” Khettry said.
Khettry said the Bonnies are focused on qualifying for the A-10 tournament.
“I think if we make it back to the A-10 tournament this year, with 12 underclassmen and 11 upperclassmen we will have accomplished something pretty major,” Khettry said.
