The QC Knights men’s soccer team opened their season on Sept. 3 with a tie against Philadelphia University. Since then, they have managed to gather a bit of momentum, improving to a record of 3-1-2.
Their loss came on Saturday, Sept. 17 against LIU Post in their first East Coast Conference game of the season.
Prior to Saturday’s loss, head coach Carl Christian reflected on the team’s new players and the success the team has enjoyed so far.
“We’re a young team, with thirteen or fourteen new players this year and honestly had you said to me that we could be three wins and two ties into the season with no losses I’d have jumped at the chance. At the same time however we could have very well been undefeated in these first few matches,” Christian said.
“I take confidence in what my players have accomplished so far, but that we cannot get complacent since the schedule and the games will be getting more challenging,” he continued.
Christian, a QC alum has been coaching the men’s team for just under six years. Previously, he coached the women’s soccer team.
Under Christian, the Knights have made it to the conference playoff games on multiple occasions but have not yet achieved victory in the postseason.
Coach Christian said that these past setbacks have not deterred him in the slightest.
“I’m originally from Leicester, and I somewhat use their team as the model for what I’m going to do this season. We’re an underdog team, so no one really expects us to make it far or to have that great of a showing, but like Leicester we will do what we can and find our own way of doing things,” Christian said.
Returning to the team is Andras Breuer, an international student from Hungary. A sophomore, Breuer has stepped up not only with his performance on the field but also with his work ethic and ability to lead by example off the field.
In practice, he raises the intensity and pushes his teammates to do the same. Breuer has scored four of the team’s ten goals scored through five games.
The new players have also added to a rising spirit on the team. Christian has managed to find a way to adapt to the new additions to the team and have it all mesh.
The new freshmen account for four of the team’s ten goals.
“The work has been coming from different places, no one person is doing it all and as a team that’s a good thing to have,” said of the players.
The Knights begin a four-game homestand on Wednesday, Sept. 21 when they face Chestnut Hill with subsequent home games against St. Thomas Aquinas on Sept. 24, Daemen on Sept. 30 and Roberts Wesleyan on Oct. 2.
