Photo: St. Bonaventure Athletics
BY: NATHAN DONNELLY, STAFF WRITER
The St. Bonaventure men’s soccer team faces Niagara on Saturday, Sept. 14, in Niagara Falls, New York.
Having faced Niagara every year since 2004, except for the shortened 2020 season, the Bonnies lead the all-time series 10-8-1. The Brown and White look to improve on that mark in head coach Kwame Oduro’s tenth season at the helm.
With much experience against Niagara, Oduro said he expects a difficult game against the Purple Eagles.
“Rivalry games take a lot more energy,” Oduro said. “In terms of how hard it is, quality will get out of the way. Who wants it more, who will work harder? Some games, it comes down to the will to win.”
Senior defender Xaver Ehrlich said the will to win was vital in last year’s 3-1 victory over Niagara.
“Last year’s game was the most enjoyable one,” said Ehrlich. “Beating a rival is always a great thing but beating them at home in front of our fans was just a good feeling and one of my favorite moments.”
According to Oduro, moments like those rely on leadership from upperclassmen like Ehrlich.
“You simply cannot win without leaders,” said Oduro. “Whether it is a rivalry game, conference, non-conference, [seniors] play such a crucial role in what we do. Things are not going well. How will they respond? That sets the tone for everyone.”
Forward Umechi Akuazaoku, another senior leader, finished second on the team in points last season. He assisted on the go-ahead goal against Niagara in 2023.
Akuazaoku said he looks forward to facing the Purple Eagles again this year.
“It is always a very competitive and physical game against Niagara,” said Akuazaoku. “I’ll definitely miss that part of the game after I graduate. It is going to be a good battle.”
Ehrlich reflected on the emotions of rivalry games and said he would miss them after the end of his eligibility.
“Something I will definitely miss the most is celebrating a win against NU with my brothers in the locker room,” said Ehrlich. “The feeling is just indescribable.”
The Brown and White have won the last two matchups against the Purple Eagles since the 2022 season. With a win, the Bonnies would secure the team’s second-longest win streak against Niagara, only short of the four-year streak accrued from 2007-2010.
The tight series suggests a tough win ahead, and Akuazaoku spoke about the mindset needed for such a close game.
“I think the key for us is definitely staying to our game plan and kind of just making sure that we don’t stray away from it when things go bad,” said Akuazaoku. “Just keeping a level head and making sure that we are finishing our chances in the final third and we should be in a good position to win.”
Catch the next chapter of this rivalry when the SBU men’s soccer team faces Niagara on Sept 14. The game can be viewed on ESPN+.
donnelnp23@bonaventure.edu
