By Mikael DeSanto
Sports Assignement Editor
The St. Bonaventure men’s soccer team traveled to North Carolina over the weekend for games against the Elon Phoenix on Sept. 2 and the High Point Panthers on Sept. 4. The Bonnies were shut out by Elon 6-0, then fell to High Point, 4-2.
“Both games were different,” Kwame Oduro, the team’s head coach, said. “I think the first game, had it been 1-0 in the second half, it could be a different game. We just gave up goals [at] the wrong time of the game. The second game, on Sunday, I think we were in it, but again stupid little mistakes kind of cost us the game.”
Oduro said the team’s lack of readiness and poor condition contributed to giving up goals.
“If your whole team doesn’t come in in shape, that affects you as you continue to play,” Oduro said. “As we go further in our games we start making stupid, silly mistakes. They haven’t reached the peak they need to be for games. [I] don’t care how good you are, you’re going to make mental mistakes.”
Oduro said while some of the conditioning should come as the season progresses, the coaches still need to help them find their footing.
“As you continue to play, obviously, you’re going to get in more shape,” Oduro said. “But it’s our job as staff to continue to push them in practice to play in a high intensity, put pressure on practices so, therefore, we can still play under pressure without making mistakes, and obviously we have to keep working on defending so we can stop goals from coming in.”
Nicholas Mazzola, a freshman defender, said lack of reaction on some shots has been an issue for the defense.
“We mark well on set pieces, but when the ball heads towards the back post we tend to watch and that’s where most of our goals are given up,” Mazzola said. “The defense and goalies can always communicate more and let everyone know to watch the back post.”
One bright spot for the Bonnies’ defense was sophomore goalkeeper Luke Iacobellis. He stopped 13 of the 19 shots on goal against Elon, and 5 of 9 against High Point.
“Before I make a save, I make sure I am concentrating and that I am in the right position because you don’t know where the shot is going to be,” Iacobellis said. “I also have to anticipate where I think the ball is going to go and make sure I react really quick.”
Iacobellis said beyond stopping the ball, his role is to help his team prepare for what is coming, including the opponents style of attack and anything the defense doesn’t notice during play.
“My greatest role is to communicate with my teammates because I see the entire field and watch the play develop,” Iacobellis said.
Iacobellis said he recognizes the problems the defense has had thanks to his vantage point as goalie.
“My defense [is] allowing many free kicks outside the 18 [meters] because they’re fouling too many opponents there,” Iacobellis said. “Too many giveaways in the center [are] creating opportunities for the other team to counterattack. The opposing team’s forwards are finding space and aren’t being covered or shut down quick enough.”
Iacobellis said the defense can fix its issues through improving awareness and discipline.
“The defenders need to better read the field and opponent’s play. They definitely need to know the position of the opposing strikers,” Iacobellis said. “They need to make better and accurate passes up the wings. We also need to limit corner kicks and make sure we cover our man with each set piece and also make sure we are very well organized, and everyone knows what their role is.”
The Bonnies will take on the Robert Morris Colonials Sept. 11 at Marra Athletic Complex at 1 p.m.
