By Pat Tintle
Assistant Sports Editor
The men’s soccer team continued their early season struggles last weekend as they dropped their first road game of the year to Rider, 5-0.
Coach Mel Mahler was disappointed with his team’s performance, particularly the lack of offense against Rider, as well as the season so far in general.
“It was one of those days where we did everything wrong,” Mahler said. “We defended poorly, we attacked poorly, we didn’t communicate. It was one of those days where you wash it off in the shower and move forward. It was disappointing, and it was concerning.”
The Bonnies, now 0-3-0, have played some competitive matches in the young season, but the team has yet to score its first goal of the year through the first three games.
Mahler, although frustrated with his own team’s play last Sunday, pointed out Rider’s ability to capitalize on the Bonnies’ numerous mistakes.
“I give Rider credit,” Mahler said. “They had great energy. They did some good things from an attacking standpoint, and they finished. But it was just a bad, bad day (for us).”
Freshman midfielder Kieran Toland saw a lack of communication among the team on the field but was also impressed with Rider’s ability to attack.
“They played real well,” Toland said. “They kept the ball moving, but at the same time, we didn’t keep the ball well.”
Moving on from the loss to Rider, Mahler wants to focus on defending in upcoming practice time.
“We’ve played three games,” Mahler said. “We haven’t scored a goal, and we’ve let in nine. We have to work on attacking, but we need to prevent teams from putting the ball in the back of our net. It’s plain and simple. We’re going to work on better individual defending, better team defending and if we can keep the game close, we’re in a better situation.”
The Bonnies will be back on the road again as they head to Buffalo to take on Canisius tomorrow at 5 p.m. Mahler expects tough competition from the Golden Griffins (4-2-0), who beat the Bonnies 2-1 in overtime last season.
“Canisius is going to be like Buffalo and Niagara,” Mahler said. “It’s always going to be a competitive game. Every year we play, it’s competitive. It should be a game that we would face in the conference from a competitive level. We play those three schools because it prepares us for the intensity we need to have to win games in the conference.”
Toland, who will be playing in his first game against Canisius, wants to see the Bonnies take more control of the ball on the field.
“I expect (Canisius) to keep the ball well,” Toland said. “They’re going to be quick. From what I’ve heard, they like the ball forward.”
According to Mahler, the Bonnies need to turn the season around before they dig a hole too deep to climb out of. With three consecutive losses, the team needs to improve and move forward from a lackluster start.
“We’re just three games into our 17 games,” Mahler said. “So we don’t want to panic so much, but I’m legitimately concerned.”
tintleph11@bonaventure.edu
