By Chris Gilbert
Contributing writer
The men’s soccer team (4-2) suffered two shootout losses on the road this past weekend against the New Jersey Institute of Technology (3-0) and Delaware (3-0). They came into those games only allowing one goal per game, so to allow consecutive games of three goals is a wake-up call for the Bonnies, according to Head Coach Mel Mahler.
They come back home tonight to face off against UMass-Lowell at 4:30 p.m. and will then come back out to McGraw-Jennings Field Sunday at noon to take on Rider.
The team is ready for the challenge and has put forth hard effort all week to try to avoid continuing the slide, according to Mahler.
“We are coming off two losses, so it is important for us to come back and get the win here,” Mahler said. “These are two teams that we can be successful against, and it is good to be home because it gives us a little bit of confidence.”
He went on to say the thing they need to improve on from last weekend’s losses is to correct their defensive mistakes and finish their opportunities.
Some key players to watch for are a trio of seniors, midfielder Brad Vanino, defender Nick Perillo, and midfielder/forward Emmett O’Connor. Vanino has two goals with three assists on the young season. Success has come from Perillo, who currently has four goals and two assists. O’Connor has scored two goals and has three assists as well. They are leading the charge for the team and look to continue that this weekend.
gilbercj13@bonaventure.edu
