By Chris Gilbert
Contributing Writer
The men’s soccer team is looking at the end of its season, with about nearly half of its Atlantic 10 Conference schedule finished. The team is off to a 1-2 in conference play.
This weekend will be a major test for the Bonnies as they host Saint Louis (8-3-1) today at 3:00 p.m. The Bonnies (7-6-1, 1-2) will finish the weekend with their last road conference game of the season in Dayton (10-1-2) on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
According to Coach Mel Mahler, that pressure has really started to sink in this week.
Mahler said Saint Louis will provide a tough matchup.
“Traditionally, they are always a good program that’s always in the top two or three,” Mahler said. “We have our work cut out for us. They are a quality program and we have had some success with them in the past beating them a few years ago.”
Mahler said defense will be key to Friday’s game.
“We have to secure things up defensively and be a bit tighter in the back,” Mahler said. “We have to be a team that has a better possession of the ball. I think we can be a good possession team. We are playing two teams that like to keep it on the ground, do not knock it around and that suits our style. I anticipate that they are going to be two entertaining and technical games, which play to our strengths.”
Mahler admitted he’s excited about finally playing a conference game at home.
“Anytime you get to play at home it is a plus against a good team,” Mahler said. “We have had two tough road losses in two games I have felt we had a chance to win.”
The Bonnies played the Billikens two years ago and lost 1-0 on a late second half goal in St. Louis. The last time the Bonnies beat St. Louis was in 2010 when the Bonnies won in overtime at home, 1-0.
Sunday will be a similar test for the Bonnies as the Dayton Flyers were handed their first loss of the season Saturday by the Billikens.
The Bonnies played the Flyers last season at home and won 3-0.
