By Heather Monahan
Features Editor
After a successful preseason under new head coach Steve Brdarski , the St. Bonaventure women’s soccer team is ready to take charge of their tough season.
“That was our theme in preseason, just to make sure that we remember that we’re Bonnies,” Brdarski said. “We’re different from every other team in Division I soccer. There’s nobody like us, and we need to play with that same passion and play for the alumni and the traditions of this university.”
Brdarski has put a heavy emphasis on the importance of playing together and for each other, mentioning that every individual on the team has a very unique personality and plays an important role on the team. Each class holds a key to helping the team come together and achieve success, Brdarski said.
This year’s senior class, made up of six players, has been a huge help to him and the rest of the team so far this season, fulfilling the leadership role, according to Brdarski.
“We’ve put a lot on their shoulders and we started developing their leadership qualities as early as last March, trying to make sure they know they need to have a voice and they need to lead this team,” he said. “Their voices and what they’re able to offer is going to be a standing point for our program. They’re going to push this team.”
While there are only four juniors on the team, Brdarski said the team makes up for its relatively small size with a lot of strength.
“Those players right now in that class are playing with a ton of confidence,” Brdarski said. “We’ve done some things, we’ve switched some players around, yet that class has really adapted and I think they’ve been a good catalyst to some of the things we’ve done so far.”
The sophomore class, which accounts for the most players on the team, has also brought the team wild success.
“Those girls have done a good job of raising their game when it comes to the environment,” Brdarski said. “We’ve challenged some of those players in that class, and all of them have answered the challenge. They’re ready to give whatever we need them to give.”
This season also sees the introduction of four freshmen. Brdarski said the group has had no problem adjusting.
“I think always as first-year players, you have to get used to the style and you have to get used to the pace of what Division I college soccer is,” he said. “As a group, they did that pretty quickly. All four of them contribute to our team and are getting better on a daily basis.”
Brdarski is confident that as long as the team plays together as one, they’ll have a great season.
“Our success will be based on the cohesion of our group,” he said. “If we have freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors all playing like Bonnies, we’re going to be successful.”
Brdarski added he’s not worried about the team meshing after seeing them come together as a group during preseason.
“All we’ve seen them do is respect who they are, what they are and the team aspect,” Brdarski said. “So with that respect, we’re just going to keep getting better, we’re going to get to know ourselves a little more and we’re going to get the opportunity to grow a little bit more as a group.”
In addition to four new freshmen and a new head coach, the Bonnies have also welcomed new assistant coach and professional soccer player Tia Nardella with open arms.
“She (Nardella) has come in, and she’s given more energy to the program and she’s given the girls a better insight,” Brdarski said. “She’s a perfect role model. You have a professional soccer player who just got done playing and winning hardware, and she’s been really quick to get into the family and do things.”
Nardella, who spent 2012 playing with Italian club UPC Tavagnacco, said she’s proud to be part of the Bona family.
“My adjustment here has been zero because everyone’s so nice, so focused, just so welcoming and everyone works so hard,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for it to be any better, but also challenging. You don’t have to do it by yourself though. Steve (Brdarski) and the girls are right there with me all the time.”
