By Dominic LoVallo
Staff Writer
A 3-0 loss to Duquesne University last Saturday officially eliminated the St. Bonaventure’s men’s soccer team from reaching the Atlantic 10 (A-10) playoffs this season.
The Bonnies also lost the final of their three goaltenders due to a concussion only 21 minutes and 58 seconds into the first half. Senior Breno Calegari, a midfielder, had to step in as goalie for the remainder of the game.
One of the Bonnies’ captains, sophomore Kieran Toland, said it is hard to accept the team won’t be reaching the playoffs, but he still feels his team should give its their full effort for the rest of the season.
“It is hard to realize that you have not yet reached your goal that you have been working so hard for throughout the season,” Toland said. “However, we want to finish the season as strong as possible to give us a boost for going onto next season.”
Freshman striker Kosi Nwafornso said he hoped for a better result for the seniors on the team, realizing this was their last year of Bonnies soccer.
“I actually feel really bad for the seniors because they had big dreams of making it to the playoffs this season,” Nwafornso said. “This was their last year and unfortunately we couldn’t make it for them, so it’s a big blow to everyone including the coaching staff, but we are still building up the program, so next year, we will be better.”
Over the weekend, Nwafornso was honored as the Atlantic 10’s Rookie of the Week. Nwafornso received the award based on his play against The University of Massachusetts Minutemen and against the George Washington Colonials. Nwafornso scored three goals in those two games to earn the award, and he appreciated the recognition.
“I felt really honored,” Nwafornso said. “It felt really good because it just showed the hard work we have been putting in as a team and the hard work we have been putting in as individuals since the beginning of the season has finally paid off.”
The Bonnies’ next game is this weekend, and it comes against the Saint Louis University (SLU) Billikens this Satur
day at 4 p.m. at the Marra Athletic Complex. Toland has expectations — not only for how the team will perform — but how the crowd will make its presence known this Saturday.
“From the team, I expect them to battle hard and show the coach that they want to improve and help to reshape this program,” Toland said. From the fans, I expect them to be their usual self and cheering us along the way.”
lovalldv15@bonaventure.edu
