Men’s soccer ends on a high note
Purple Knights make playoffs once again

Emily Kaas | staff writer

Sean Malvey (left in purple) and Aaron Vine (right) close in on the ball during the St. Michael's men's soccer team quater final game of the Northeast-10 Conference playoffs. Photo courtesy of Lea Watson

For the second year in a row, the St. Michael’s College men’s soccer team made the Northeast-10 playoffs.  Winning its last regular season game, 4-0, over the College of St. Rose on Oct. 25, secured the team's spot in the playoffs.  But, the Purple Knights lost 1-0 against Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in the quarter finals.

Defining expectations

Head Coach Wade Jean says this year’s playoff team is a lot different than last year’s. 

“Last year, everyone looked at St. Mike’s as a chance to win a game,” Jean says.  “We were really under the radar.  This year, we performed against teams that knew they were coming into a great game.”

Senior captain Matt Healy says it was a great accomplishment for the team to make the playoffs two years in a row. Healy was happy that he got to be captain for both years, leading a great squad, he says.

“The difference between this year’s and last year’s playoff teams was we had a group of guys with playoff experience this year,” he says.

The team, which ended with an overall record of 10-5-4, was the first team in St. Michael’s men’s soccer history to have back-to-back double-digit season wins.  Jean says the team really developed a style, work ethic and pride for its games this year.

The loss to SCSU was disappointing, but it also gave the team hope, Jean says. 

“We used to lose 6-0 to SCSU, a nationally ranked Division II team, but now we’re making it harder for them,” he says.

Healy says that the team is all sad the season is over, but they’re proud of what they have done.

Jean says he hopes that the Purple Knights can extend its run to three consecutive years in the playoffs, but the team will have a much younger team next year.

“Seventy-five percent of our team will be freshmen and sophomores next year,” he says.  “The responsibility will fall on the shoulders of a younger group of kids.”

The St. Michael's soccer team takes the field for its second playoff visit in two years. This year the team squared off against Southern Conneticut State University. Photo courtesy of Lea Watson

A great season
           
Senior goal keeper Tim Williamson says the game against SCSU was great, but it was unfortunate it didn’t end in the team’s favor. 

“It was 0-0 for the first 76 or so minutes, but then they (SCSU) scored on a pretty powerful goal,” he says.  “As Coach Jean says, ‘sometimes you just need a little luck to go your way.’  Unfortunately, it didn’t end up our way.”

Healy says that if they hadn’t lost focus throughout several games during the season, the team could have won another two or three games in the playoffs.

“We were all pretty bummed out when we lost,” Williamson says.  “We looked at every game as another experience.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get as many experiences as we would’ve liked.”

The team was a lot better this year than when he started four years ago, Williamson says.  While he never expected a year not making the playoffs, by his junior year everything fell into place and the team made it to the semi-finals, he says.

“We’re not accepting being in the bottom of the pack anymore,” Williamson says.  “We had a similar season as last year but we brought in a lot of pretty powerful, well-rounded freshmen.  Overall, the drive was there.”

Williamson says he is very pleased with how the season turned out.

“We had a couple of let-downs, but sometimes they come and go throughout the season.  But now the team can grow and move forward,” he says.  “Success breeds success.”

Third times the charm?

Frasier Watson, a junior center back defenseman, says the team was extremely happy with its win over St. Rose to make it into the playoffs.  When the team lost to SCSU, he says it was upsetting, but St. Michael’s played really well against a very tough team.

“We look forward to beating them in future years,” he says.

Watson says he has no doubts about the team making it to the playoffs again next year, and maybe even coming home the NE-10 champions. 

“It requires a lot of hard work and dedication that we’re ready to give,” he says.

Watson says they would have liked to go further this year in the playoffs, but this was a positive step towards a solid team.

“It’s up to the guys on the team now to decide just how successful they’ll be," Healy says. "Another Northeast-10 playoff appearance, and maybe even more, isn’t out of the picture."

The team will be relying heavily on a younger group of players next year as they lose their seniors, including Williamson.

Frasier Watson takes a free kick in the St. Michael's men's soccer team's playoff game on Oct. 28. The Purple Knights lost 1-0. Photo courtesy of Lea Watson

Williamson says that sophomore goalie Jason Burnett shows a lot of promise in his position.

“The confidence is just sliding into place for Jason,” he says.

Healy says he is very happy with how the senior class is leaving and has high hopes for next year’s team.

“The underclassmen know what is expected of them now, and hopefully they’ll continue to raise the bar,” he says.

Jean says he is pleased with how the season turned out, despite the loss in the quarter finals.

“It’s not about meeting expectations anymore,” he says.  “This team defines expectations.”