2008 Woodie Awards
Men's soccer season ends with playoff loss to St. Francis
Carolyn Bauer
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: Sports
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The men's soccer season came to an end on Nov. 16 with a 3-0 loss to Saint Francis in the semi-final game of the Northeast Conference. The Pioneers ended their season with a 10-8-1 record and named three players to the All-NEC men's soccer team.
Goalie Matt Jones, junior, and David Backman, junior, were both named to the first team All-Northeast Conference, while Luke Gagliardi, junior, was named to the second team.
"Any personal achievement always makes you feel good, as it did for me. I am certainly happy about it, and I didn't expect it. I didn't really put any effort into thinking about it," said Gagliardi. "As far as I am concerned, the feeling of having our team compete in the NEC finals would have been more welcome than any personal awards."
All three players contributed much to the team in their respective positions.
Jones finished the season tied as the league-leader in shutouts with seven. He also finished third overall in the conference with a save percentage of .851, and recorded an average of .80 goals against average.
"It's a great accomplishment as it means some of your hard work is being recognized which is always nice, however, it is not just an individual thing. It's the defense being recognized as a whole as I wouldn't have won anything without them playing so well in from of me," said Jones.
Backman, who was also recognized on the first team, was a crucial component of the defense that helped Jones in goal.
The Pioneers defense allowed only four goals and a 5-1 record in the last six games of the season, while winning a Division I record of ten games overall for the season.
"I did not expect to get an award at all so it was a bit of a shock. Of course it is always fun to be recognized, but it would have been even more fun if we would have gone to the final," said Backman.
On Nov. 16, the Pioneers traveled to Monmouth University to play in the semi-final game of the NEC tournament.
Goalie Matt Jones, junior, and David Backman, junior, were both named to the first team All-Northeast Conference, while Luke Gagliardi, junior, was named to the second team.
"Any personal achievement always makes you feel good, as it did for me. I am certainly happy about it, and I didn't expect it. I didn't really put any effort into thinking about it," said Gagliardi. "As far as I am concerned, the feeling of having our team compete in the NEC finals would have been more welcome than any personal awards."
All three players contributed much to the team in their respective positions.
Jones finished the season tied as the league-leader in shutouts with seven. He also finished third overall in the conference with a save percentage of .851, and recorded an average of .80 goals against average.
"It's a great accomplishment as it means some of your hard work is being recognized which is always nice, however, it is not just an individual thing. It's the defense being recognized as a whole as I wouldn't have won anything without them playing so well in from of me," said Jones.
Backman, who was also recognized on the first team, was a crucial component of the defense that helped Jones in goal.
The Pioneers defense allowed only four goals and a 5-1 record in the last six games of the season, while winning a Division I record of ten games overall for the season.
"I did not expect to get an award at all so it was a bit of a shock. Of course it is always fun to be recognized, but it would have been even more fun if we would have gone to the final," said Backman.
On Nov. 16, the Pioneers traveled to Monmouth University to play in the semi-final game of the NEC tournament.
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