By Pat Tintle
Assistant Sports Editor
Eleven games into the season, the men’s soccer team still only has one win.
The Bonnies offensive production has been absent from the scoreboard for the past three games, having been outscored 11-0, the most recent shutout coming against Buffalo on Oct. 21 by a score of 4-0.
“We’re creating chances. We’re just not finishing them,” Coach Mel Mahler said on his team’s lack of offensive production. “It’s about being smarter with the ball and making better decisions on where to play passes. We’re making mistakes from a skill standpoint. Right now, we’re a team that we zag when we should zig, and we zig when we should zag.”
The Bonnies inability to score was evident in last Tuesday’s game in Buffalo. The Bulls were able to take 26 shots on goal, while the Bonnies were held to 11, with Buffalo’s goalkeeper not getting an opportunity to record a save.
Usually a consistent strength for the team, the Bonnies defense has also been on a downward spiral, according to Mahler.
“It’s just a lack of discipline,” Mahler said. “You can’t sugarcoat it. Like with the third goal, it was just disorganization in our back line and our midfielders not doing their defensive jobs. When you don’t play well defensively and you make those types of mistakes, you will be punished.”
The Bonnies defense let in three goals in the first half of play against Buffalo. The early deficit was a discouraging way to start the match, according to senior goalkeeper Bobby Diaz.
“It’s always difficult when you go down early in a match,” Diaz said. “(Tuesday), we conceded ten minutes in, and conceding three goals in 45 minutes always creates a big hill to climb.”
The Bulls tacked on another goal in the 83rd minute to pad their lead, improving to 4-8-2.
To qualify for the Atlantic 10 tournament, the Bonnies must win out the remaining five games left on their schedule. Currently 0-3 in A-10 play, the Bonnies have three home games left. Mahler expressed a sense of hope when evaluating the rest of his team’s schedule.
“This is a time where we have to be brutally honest with each other,” Mahler said. “We can’t mask the difficulties. We have five conference games left. I told the guys ‘If you win four, we’re most likely in the A-10s.’”
Team chemistry has held the Bonnies together through the 1-10 record, senior midfielder Mitch Skrabacz said.
“We’re close as a team this year,” Skrabacz said. “Much closer than before. When somebody makes a mistake, everybody’s got each other’s back. The new freshmen and a couple transfers are definitely part of the team. Within the first month, we were off the field hanging out with them. We’re close like that.”
The Bonnies next match will be at home tonight at 6 p.m. Taking on A-10 competitor George Washington, the team is prepared to outplay the Colonials in a game that is essential, Skrabacz said.
“I’m hoping it’s going to be a win,” Skrabacz said. “Playing under the lights, as long as we play our game, that will definitely help.”
The Bonnie’s only win came when they played their first night game at the Marra Athletics Complex. Looking for history to repeat itself, Mahler is focused on his team’s upcoming opponent.
“Like all A-10 teams, (George Washington) is going to come in fighting,” Mahler said. “Everyone wants a shot. Everyone knows this is what you train and prepare for – conference games.”
