Sept. 22, 2008

After being a dynamic scorer in high school, you've taken on a completely different role with the Bonnies. What have you done with your game to go from scoring goals to preventing them?

My primary goal is to become a better player so that I will become an asset for my team. As far as moving from an offensive role to a defensive role, I welcomed the challenge and I worked hard in the off-season with the Ocean City Barons of the PDL (Professional Development League) team to improve my defensive skills.

You tend to be the focal point for both your team as well as the opposing team on most set pieces. Is it frustrating to have 2-3 players draped all over you or is all the attention more an advantage for the offense?

It can become frustrating having players all over me, but it comes with the territory. My teammates can use this as an advantage because if I have those players covering me then one of my teammates should be open for the shot.

Along with Kevin Okapal and Matt Culo, you three have become staples on the Bona defense. How high is the level of confidence right now between the three of you?

KO (Okapal), Culo and I have a really good relationship on and off the field. The confidence just comes from us being comfortable around each other. We must rely on one another 100% to make sure our defense is tight. KO, Culo and the other players in the back understand the importance of talking and working as a unit. There is no "I" in team, so we need each other and it helps our confidence level.

David Flynn has performed at a very high level in net from day one. How has he continued to develop into a top class goalkeeper?

Flynn is on target to become one of the premier goalies in the Atlantic 10. He has always had the confidence and agility as a goalie, but he is now taking that level of confidence to the next level. Freshman jitters are over and he is maturing game after game.

Collin Omen was an important part of the defense last season, but how has he continued to help the team this year as an assistant coach?

My parents always told me that wisdom comes with aging and Collin is using his wisdom, knowledge and love for the game to help us become a better team. And as a defensive player, he can see our weak areas and help us improve in those aspects.

You scored the game-tying goal late in your match against Quinnipiac, almost immediately following their goal. How important was it to strike back quickly and how were you able to hold off a counter with Matt (Culo) earning an ejection near the end of regulation?

In any game the first two to four minutes after a score is the crucial point because the scoring team is usually celebrating in their minds and therefore the defense may have a hole that the other team can sneak through. That hole was the opportunity for me to put the ball in the net. It's always difficult playing 10 vs. 11, although I was tired, I knew we had to stay true to our defense and not let Quinnipiac find a hole in our line.

After hitting the road for three straight matches early in the season, the Bonnies will not be leaving Western New York again until Halloween. What are the advantages of playing six of the next seven matches at home?

Road trips are always hard on the body and a little difficult on the mind. It can sometimes break your pre-game routine and throw you off your game. You still have to find away to get the job done. But there's nothing like playing in front of your peers and hometown fans. We appreciate our fans and their support. Sometimes it's the adrenaline the fans bring that is needed to secure a victory. All teams enjoy winning in front of the hometown fans.

With only two more matches until A-10 play begins, what does the team hope to improve on heading in conference action?

Tighter defense and more scoring opportunities is always the mind set before every game. But hopefully we can find the back of the net more these next couple of games and start putting three points up on the board

The team doubled its win total last season, but do you see a winning record in the cards for this season?

Definitely! We have the talent and now it is up to us to find the right connection. We (juniors) have two seasons left and it's time to stop talking about it and start being about it. As Coach (Mel) Mahler would say, "What are you saving it for?"