By Steve Marcus
Contributing Writer
After spending the first three weeks of the season on the road, amassing over 19,00 miles, including stops in Ohio, Virginia, Hartwick and Buffalo, the men’s soccer team is still winless.
During last weekend’s Mayor’s Cup Invitational, the Bonnies lost to host Hartwick College 5-1 on Friday and lost to Syracuse 5-0 on Sunday. After Sunday’s home opener, the men take on rival Canisus with just three games remaining before the Atlantic 10 conference slate starts.
The team returns home to host St. Francis (Pa., 2-1-2), a member of the Northeast Conference, Sunday at 1 p.m. The men look to avenge last season’s 4-0 loss to the Red Flash.
Returning home, the team looks to snap a 16-game losing streak that dates back to Cleveland State Sept. 21, 2011.
Getting the team more coordinated and focused is the goal heading into the home opener.
“As far as our work ethic goes, too many players, including myself, are on different pages,” junior defender Bradley Beaumont said. “We have a talented group of guys here. We just need to somehow all get on the same page.”
Redshirt senior midfielder Reid Gan agreed.
“Right now, we really have to focus on our work ethic,” Gan said. “We’ve opened up every game with decent opportunities. We just need to find the back of the net and put pressure on our opponent right away.”
The Bonnies have been outscored this year 25-3, an average goal against per game of 4.1 while only scoring a mere .5 goals per game.
Junior defender Kolby Banker remains optimistic.
“The best thing is there is still time left,” Banker said. “The games that truly count are the conference ones, and hopefully this long week of practice will help us blend even more. We are just trying to fill the holes and get connected with the new formations and new players on the field.”
Beaumont said playing at home will help the team get back to winning.
“We have been on long trips, which is taxing on our bodies,” Beaumont said. “Plus, it’s always extra motivating when you are playing with local support cheering you on.”
