By Zach Waltz
Assistant Sports Editor
Senior midfielder and attacker Emmett O’Connor broke St. Bonaventure’s all-time assists record last Sunday, notching his 23rd career assist in a 5-1 win over the Howard Bison (0-4).
O’Connor scored a goal, his second of the year, earlier in day at the Duquesne Invitational in a 2-1 win against the University of the Incarnate Word (1-3).
His play earned him All-Tournament MVP honors and a spot on the Duquesne Invitational All-Tournament team along with senior midfielder Brad Vanino, junior midfielder and defender Steve Caracterro and redshirt junior Jeremy Figler.
O’Connor said he set out to break this record in his freshman year, but his main goal is to make the Atlantic 10 tournament this year — something the Bonnies haven’t been able to do since 2010.
“It was a goal that I set for myself after my freshman year when I saw that it was attainable,” O’Connor said. “I guess it just means that I reached my goal. It would mean a lot more to me if it comes along with making the A-10 tournament this year.”
O’Connor remains modest despite breaking the record, crediting his teammates for being able to score the goals on his assists.
“There is no chance I would have broken this record without the people on this team,” O’Connor said. “You don’t get an assist unless someone puts the ball in the net, and I think this speaks more to the people finishing the chances than to my play.”
He said he would love to see his record stay atop the books, but wouldn’t mind seeing it broken under the right circumstances.
“On one hand, I would love to see it last as long as possible, but on the other, if it gets broken, that means the team here is probably successful,” O’Connor said. “I think that is the most important thing, so the program can continue to grow.”
O’Connor said his fondest memory of contributing an assist came earlier in his career, rather than the record-breaking one on Sunday.
“The assist that stands out to me was in the last regular season game of my freshman year,” O’Connor said. “We needed at least a tie to make it to the A-10 tournament, and I assisted Vanino’s goal in the second half to tie it.”
O’Connor acknowledged it felt great to finally see his name in the record books after four years of hard work.
“It’s a good feeling,” O’Connor said. “I’ve worked hard my four years here, and I guess it makes me feel like it’s paid off in that regard.”
O’Connor, the team’s returning assists leader and second-most goal scorer, was selected to the preseason A-10 All-Conference team in August. Since then, he has backed up the honor by scoring two goals and notching four assists, making him tied for seventh and tied for first in the A-10, respectively. He shares the team assists lead with Vanino. He is also tied for third in points.
Emmett will look to extend his record and continue the Bonnies’ win streak as they take the pitch today at 5 against the Delaware Blue Hens (3-1).
waltzzd12@bonaventure.edu
