By Michael Loffredo
Thanks in large part to the new athletic complex the Bonnies soccer program has lifted to new heights. For god sakes, 1,248 fans came out to the complex’s dedication, in which the Bonnies took on Binghamton under the lights in late September. Don’t want to sound sexist, but in my time here, I have never seen that many fans at a women’s sporting event. Kudos.
The Bonnies are 4-5-1 (.450) through the first ten games of the season. Last years Bonnies advanced to the semifinals of the Atlantic-10 tournament in Richmond, Virginia. This year’s goal is to get to the final, and win the tournament, or “become the tradition” as Coach Brdarski would say.
The 2013 Bonnies had a record of 3-6-1 (.350) at this point in the season. They ended the season winning five of their last eight, which brought them into the Atlantic 10 tournament full of momentum.
Mid-season offense rating: C+
The team has ten goals in ten games. Simple math there gives you an average of a goal per game. It simply has to be better in the second half, the conference half of the nineteen game schedule. Last year through ten games, the Bonnies scored 18-goals, nearly doubling the amount the Bonnies have at the same point of the season this year. It’s not like the chances aren’t there; the Bonnies have 122 shots, with 58 shots on goal. Getting the ball to the net isn’t the problem; it’s getting the ball in the net that’s been causing trouble.
Rookie forward Danielle Vis has won A-10 rookie of the week twice so far this season. She has 3 goals, 2 of which are game winning goals. Can’t wait to see what she will turn into over the upcoming three seasons. Props to coach Brdarski for finding Vis and recruiting her out of Canada.
Senior forward Brittany Charles has 2-goals and 3-assists and has been hot as of late as she has buried one goal and assisted on two in her last two games. Talk about the work of a captain. If you haven’t seen her goal against Binghamton, call ESPN. A goal like that should be on file in Bristol.
Junior forward Abby Mailello has been a big piece to the puzzle on offense as she has 1 goal on three assists thus far this season. It just always seems like she is apart of the play. Her attitude is one you want in your locker room. I don’t think I have been to a game yet where I haven’t heard her say “I need to score a goal today. I need it.” She sat out one game due to a quad injury. Trust me, coaching and trainers had to hold her out from playing. She loves the game and is quite good at it too.
If the rest of the team can follow the example that these three girls are presenting to them on offense, you will see the Bonnies in the finals of the A-10 tournament. Heck, maybe even winning the whole thing.
The offense is good. It doesn’t need to be great. It just needs to get a tad better. The low rating leaves a lot of room for improvement. This offense has the potential to be an A+ offense by seasons end. I mean; it is all about the conference schedule. Don’t get me wrong; the offense is clicking. It just needs to excel. In my opinion, it will.
Mid-season defensive rating: A-
The defense for the Bonnies has been the backbone for this squad. Led by senior captain Alicia Elwell, it is a rarity to see the Bonnies in trouble in front of their own net. You know Elwell is doing such a great job on defense because when you’re on the sidelines you cant go 10-minutes without hearing “Great job, Alicia” sputter out of coaches mouth. She does a good job controlling the play and finding the open player to carry the ball up field. She is patient, and she doesn’t force anything; the mind and play of an excellent defender.
The Bonnies have only allowed ten goals to cross the goal line, thanks in large part to junior goalkeeper Christina Sarokon. Sarokon fits under the defensive category as she has 4 shutouts through ten games. That is nearly 50% of games that she has not allowed a goal. Sarokon has been stellar in net and is in large part a reason for the Bonnies early success. If she can keep it up in the upcoming conference schedule, expect big things from the Bonnies. Big things.
Road woes: The Bonnies are 0-3-1 on the road this season. That record flat out has to get better. With three of the last four conference games coming on the road, the Bonnies need to get used to enemy territory in order to finish high atop the standings in the conference. If not, two words: uh-oh.
Home sweet home: The Bonnies are 2-1 at the friendly confines of the new and improved Marra Athletic Complex. They know how to take advantage of playing on their own turf. In fact, six of their ten goals have come at home this year; including the three-goal outburst vs. Binghamton on September 19th in the campuses first ever game at night under the lights.
My Final Prediction: 9-7-3
The Bonnies have to go 5-2-2 in the final nine games for this record to come true. They can do it. Three of their next four are at home. Three of their last five are on the road. If they can get the road woes somewhat taken care of and can continue prominence at home, they will be 9-7-3. To put it simply, the Bonnies are right there. They have great experienced coaching in Steve Brdarski and Kelsey Pardue. They have the attitude and willingness to win. They have the guts and grittiness to become the tradition. This team has the potential to be the best team in the Atlantic-10. Guess we will find out in the first week of November if that can become a reality.
Michael Loffredo 