Niagara University men's soccer team advancing

By Shiela R. Hunt

Special to Niagara Frontier Publications

The men’s soccer team took off slow in the beginning of the game. They ran, jumped and leaped for the ball but just could not score. In the sport verses Mount St. Mary, Niagara University kicked at the ball until they’ve scored. They aimed for the net three times in the second half to win the game.

In an interview reported by Shiela R. Hunt, David Hesch, the assistant coach of the Niagara University men’s Purple Eagle soccer team, was asked the following questions about the game of soccer verses Mount St. Mary’s men’s soccer team and their overall progress of their team verses the other colleges.

When Hesch was asked what was the most exciting of being the coach for Niagara University, he mentioned the playoffs as being the most exciting part of the men’s soccer games.

In the first quarter of the soccer game, Niagara University was behind by 1 point. They did not have control of the ball. They were missing shots to score against Mount St. Mary’s. When Hesch was asked why he thinks coaching is important, he said, “Every team needs someone in charge to carry out the vision of the team.”

Niagara University men’s soccer team tried hard to score on Mount St. Mary men’s soccer team but Mount St. Mary was too strong for Niagara University in the 1st quarter of the game. In the second half of the game, Niagara University was still losing. They could not put the ball where they wanted it so Mount St. Mary remained in the lead for the first half of the game. Niagara University was verses Mount St. Mary’s in a game of strength and power. They won victory over Mount St. Mary in the second half of the game. Niagara University kicked at the ball many times to make their first score, in the second half of the sport.

When Hesch was asked was his men’s playing soccer to their full potential, he said, “I think so.” Niagara University kicked the ball up the field to Mount St. Mary’s goalie to score. Felix Kogler and Cameron Roach kicked the ball in the net to score for Niagara University. A few times they had missed their opponent’s net. When Hesch was asked who is your most valuable player, he said, “Most valuable right now is Jamie Barry the goalkeeper.”

Mount St. Mary goalie was blocking the net from Niagara University. The men tried hard to score, but it was too tough to get past their goalie since he was standing in front of his net. When Hesch was asked, in which soccer game you thought your team did a great job, he said, “Canisius.”

Niagara University soccer ball was kicked away several times. They felt sad because they couldn’t put the ball in the net. Some of the men on Niagara University team had their heads hanging low in feeling sorrow for their lose.

When Hesch was asked, in what game did defense help to a point of winning the game, he said, “Manhattan.” They tried all their positions on the field to dominate control over Mount St. Mary. Finally, in the second half of the game, Niagara University scored. When Hesch was asked, in the pro soccer league, who do you admire as in athlete, he said, “Ronaldhino”

Hesch was asked why he admires Ronaldhino. He said, “He was the best soccer player and Ronaldhino had everything.”

The fans shouted loud for Niagara University men’s soccer team. The men’s soccer team ran on the field in which they played, to score.

When Hesch was asked what are his strengths in soccer as the coach, he said, “Knowledge of the game.”

 Halftime was over and Niagara University continued to have control of the ball, in the third quarter. When Hesch was asked how much time your men’s soccer team spends practicing during the week, he said, “Twenty hours.”

Niagara University men kicked the ball close to Mount St. Mary’s goalie many times to score. They performed fancy foot work to win the game 3-1.

When Hesch was asked what practice was like for Niagara University men’s soccer team, he said, “Warm up, do technical skills, possession, small-sided games to goal, 11v11.”

The goalie was trying his best to stop Niagara University shots. At one point in the game, Niagara University used their heads to bounce the ball to their teammates. They tried different strategies to win. Hesch said, “Sure, my college coach was a role model.” Hesch said, “He had knowledge of the game and was fatherly.”

Niagara University men played many funny tricks on the field, to get the audience attention. They made some people in the audience laugh at their humorous foot work. They kicked the ball with the side of their shoe to show the opposite team. They even fell on the ground when it was time to put the ball in the net. When Hesch was asked, what do you look for as a coach, he said, “Development.”

Niagara led 3-1 verses Mount St. Mary. They stayed in control of the ball for the entire game. They played kick ball with their teammates to put the ball in the opposite team’s net.

When Hesch was asked was coaching worth it, he said, “For sure.” This game was not a playoff game which ended Niagara 3 and Mount St. Mary 1, but the men scored 3 goals in the second half to win over Mount St. Mary men. They made it to the MAAC for the fourth straight season. When Hesch was asked, in remembering a great game the men soccer team played, what can you remember of one of the players that stood out, he said, “Against Canisius, Dom Cintra scored a goal and 2 assists.”

Niagara University game leaders are Kogler, who made 4 shots and 2 goals; Roach, who made 1 shot 1 goal; Asher Barnes, who made 1 shot 0 goal; Gianluca Del Priore, who made 1 shot 0 goals.

There was 8 minutes and 30 seconds on the clock when Markus Nilsen scored assisted by Mackie Sacarello, and Luc Holden. There was 64 minutes and 45 seconds left on the clock when the ball was assisted by Del Priore for Roach to score a goal. There was 77 minutes and 52 seconds left on the clock when the ball was assisted by Barnes for Kogler to score a goal. There was 82 minutes and 27 seconds left on the clock when Kogler had the ball to make a goal. Matheus Spina tried to make a shot in the 24 minutes of the game, but missed. Jamie Barry the goalkeeper stopped a shot in the 43 minutes on the clock to keep Niagara University on top of the game, 3-1.

The men played a great game in the sport soccer verse Mount St. Mary and the other teams. When Hesch was asked, how is your team progressing since you have been coaching, he said, “Greatly. He had more all MAAC players.”

They played against the other colleges named Temple, Colgate, No. 22 Akron, Robert Morris, UAlbany, Stonehill, Duquesne, St. Bonaventure, Iona, Marist, Fairfield, Siena, St. Peter’s, Manhattan, Rider, Canisius, Quinnipiac and Mount St. Mary’s.

Niagara University men leave the game with a sense of pride knowing they claimed victory over Mount St. Mary. They had been doing fair throughout the season. Out of 16 games, Niagara University won 4 times verses the other colleges and tied 3 times this season.

At the end of the game, all the men shook hands to say great game knowing that Niagara University made it to the MAAC playoffs.

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This is a Niagara University student-created piece completed as part of the course CMS 226A. For more information, contact the Niagara Frontier Publications’ managing editor.