It was a sad day on November 2nd, 2014 as seniors Brittany Charles, Alicia Elwell, and Molly Curry donned the St. Bonaventure uniform for one final time. Their careers at Bonaventure were filled with great moments, including jaw-dropping goals, unprecedented wins, a new field/athletic complex, and an impressive run in last year’s Atlantic-10 tournament. These girls saw it all. From the “Bona bounce” on the old, jagged grass field to the new gorgeous turf field. They left it all out there for their team: for the Bonnies.
The Bonnies finished the season with an overall record of 7-11-1 (.395).
Last years Bonnies advanced to the semifinals of the Atlantic-10 tournament in Richmond, Virginia. This year’s goal was to get to the final, and win the tournament, or “become the tradition,” as Coach Brdarski would say. This year, the Bonnies didn’t make the tournament, but the team as a whole definitely started building toward becoming that “tradition” that Coach Brdarski always preached on.
Post-season offense rating: D
This season, the Bonnies scored 17-goals in 19-games, with only four of those afore mentioned 17-goals coming in conference play. Simple math there gives you an average of less than a goal per game, and an average of only a half of a goal per game in conference play. You can’t win when you can’t score, and obviously getting the ball into the back of the net proved to be the Bonnies main weakness all season long. The Bonnies scored 28-goals last season, outscoring this years team by 11-goals. Getting the ball to the net isn’t the problem, trust me, I followed this team all season. The chances were there. They just couldn’t finish.
Rookie forward Danielle Vis won A-10 rookie of the week honors twice this season. She had 4 goals, 3 of which we’re game winning goals, and one assist on the season. It will be fun to see the Canadian product back in a Bonnies uniform for the next three years. She could prove to be a huge threat on the Bonnies roster. Guess we will have to wait and see to find out.
Junior forward Abby Mailello is also another key returning player to next year’s roster. She was a big piece to the puzzle on offense for the Bonnies as she had 3-goals on four assists in 2014. She was always a part of every play. Her attitude is one you want in your locker room. She doesn’t lack in the self-motivation department as each and every game one would hear 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. It has to be assumed that next year she will be a captain on next years heavy senior class squad, and if that’s the case… Watch out. She already showed the traits of a leader this season. Can’t wait to see what she has in store for us next season.
The offense was subpar in 2014. It will be interesting to see what the team can do in 2015. The rising junior’s on the team need to step up in their senior season in order to get where this program wants to go. Rumor has it Coach Brdarski is looking to reel in a large incoming freshman class, as he is trying to bring 10-girls aboard next years squad.
I gave the Bonnies offense a C+ rating at mid-season. Only scoring 4 goals in conference play (8 games) led to the grade drop. It will be interesting to see what Coach Brdarski can cook up on offense next season. If I learned anything, he will have the girls start working in the spring, keeping the bad taste of defeat in their mouths throughout the year until the start of next season and beyond. Start the season with some firepower, determination, as I would call it.
Post-season defensive rating: B-
The defense for the Bonnies has been the backbone for this squad. Led by senior captain Alicia Elwell, it was 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 can’t go 10-minutes without hearing “Great job, Alicia” sputter out of coach’s 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 about her game; the mind and play of an excellent defender. The Bonnies will miss her leadership and play next season and for years to come, but don’t be surprised if the rest of the team takes anything away from her attitude, determination, and swift ball handling skills. Someone needs to step up next season to fulfill her role.
The biggest weapon coming back for the Bonnies on the defensive side of the ball is Goalkeeper Christina Sarokon. Sarokon played in 16 games for the Bonnies where she made 81 saves. Although the record doesn’t prove so well at 6-9-1 in between the pipes, Sarokon was able top shut out opponents in 5 of her 6 wins. It was her strong ability to bring home a win that put her in a captain’s role as a junior.
Road woes:
The Bonnies were 1-6-1 on the road this season. That record flat out has to get better. I said it in my mid-season report; three of the last four games this season we’re on the road. They needed to learn how to pull together on the road. They didn’t. Maybe if they could’ve won 2 more games on the road as part of their conference schedule, they would be playing in the Atlantic-10 tournament.
Home sweet home:
The Bonnies finished 4-4 at the friendly confines of the new and improved Marra Athletic Complex. The lights and the new field drew large crowds this year, and were highly in the Bonnies favor, as the record shows. This season, the Bonnies knew how to take advantage of playing on their own turf. We will see if home field advantage carries over to next season.
2015 MVP: Danielle Vis
This was a tough call. When you look at the play of Abby Mailello and Daneille Vis, a lot of comparable features arise: clutch-ness, determination, and hustle. The only reason I went with Vis here is that she came up clutch for the Bonnies on three separate occasions this season. It is not very often you see a freshman rise up to the task of putting your team in front, let alone win rookie of the week in a major college conference twice in a season. She was always out on the field and rarely made a lackluster play on the ball. She jelled in with the Bonnies quick, and was there to make a play often. She finished 2014 with 4 goals, and 1 assist. I’m going to predict a 7-goal, 3-assist season for Vis next year. If she can avoid the infamous “sophomore slump,” she will get this done. Hey, it wont be the first time she’s been the MVP of a team either. She took home MVP honors for Redding High School (Ontario) in 2012.
Next seasons prediction: 9-9-1
This record obviously won’t take shape until next November, but I have the Bonnies next season finishing 9-9-1. My reasoning? They are losing only three seniors and the team as a whole has experience as most of the girls received quality minutes this season. With most teams in the Atlantic-10 Conference losing 6-to-7 seniors in the upcoming season, the Bonnies show an advantage here, as they should hold a lot more experience than some of the other conference foes. With Coach Brdarski at the helm, he will get this team to become the tradition. And for now, we wait to see what unfolds. Lots of recruiting ahead for Coach Brdarski. Go Bonnies!
Michael Loffredo 