Today: Feb 14, 2025

Soccer ends in tie with rival Bridgeport

Luke Gadson – Sports Editor

The tension was definitely there in this rivalry game between the University of Bridgeport and the Owls. This was a physical game with three yellow cards called on Bridgeport and one on the Owls. Although they led until the final three minutes of the game, the Owls ended a tough-fought game against the Knights with a score of 1-1 on Sunday. 

Despite the aggressiveness shown by both teams, the Owls never backed down. “The players’ responsibility is to meet steel with steel,” Head Coach Kevin Anderson, said. “But there’s a way to do it. There’s a competitiveness and fairness about it that you have to make sure you instill.” continued Anderson. Coach Anderson also stated that he was proud of how his team was able to make adjustments on the fly versus a good opponent. 

The game may not have ended the way the Owls wanted, but there were still positive moments to look back on such as the team’s only goal scored by Forward Zico Groenveld, a sophomore. “Coming off the bench, Jalen Jean worked hard to get the ball and made a great pass. I was one on one and did what I had to do,” Groenveld said. Coach Anderson also made sure to point out the importance of the players coming off the bench. “We brought in Jalen Jean and Umberto Catale and within minutes both guys made a tremendous impact. And that’s why guys who get brought into the game are game changers,” said Coach Anderson. Goalkeeper Devin Juan, a junior, also had a great game, saving four out of five shots on goal.  

One common theme looking back on this game was taking advantage of the opportunities given to the Owls. “It comes down to us finishing our chances. There are some chances that just have to be put away,” said Forward Jalen Jean, a junior. Defender Alex da Cunha, a junior, felt similarly, , “Some good takeaways are that we are creating those chances that we need and that we previously didn’t create, now we just have to make them,” da Cunha said. Da Cunha also has high hopes for the team the rest of the season,“ We’re solid in the back, we’re working hard as a team, we’re pushing each other, and if we just score more than two goals I think we win every game.”  

Coach Anderson only had positive things to say when asked about Alex and his contribution to the game. “Alex is a super mature, talented, and experienced guy who has the ability to affect groups of players in a positive way on and off the ball,” said Coach Anderson. He goes on to say, “His communication and organization are some of the things you may not see him doing on the ball, that he does off the ball to keep us a very difficult group to break down. He keeps making us better and better.”  

Tying against Bridgeport, the Owls remain undefeated with their record moving to 1-0-1. This keeps the university in great shape as they have two more non-conference games before beginning conference play on Sept. 16 against Saint Rose. 

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