Men’s and women’s soccer final stretch

By Justin West

 

The Men’s and Women’s soccer clubs know that the month of October is very important to the overall success of their seasons. It’s the stretch run to the end. Each game becomes more important as the conference matchups come to focus. Coach Brian Doherty of the women’s team and coach Tony Ocrimenko have their teams prepared and ready to go as a tough schedule approaches.

The men’s team is currently 7-4 and getting ready to chase a conference championship. Their top goal scorer so far on the season is Erickson Simeon with five goals. Right behind him is Luis Velasquez with four goals scored.

Ocrimenko preaches that playing together as a team will fully maximize their potential. He says: “Keep playing as a team and keep working hard. Don’t leave anything on the table.”

“We need to cut back on our mistakes but I feel very positive about this group. We need to kick it up a notch. Things will be demanding with a lot of hard work,” said Ocrimenko.

Ocrimenko highlights some specific games that added to the development of the team.

“We played well against Ramapo. We moved the ball well and controlled the tempo. The boys bonded well as a group,” he said “We had a downer against Stockton College but bounced back against Camden. We regrouped and beat Jersey City.”

As the team prepares for a few national tournaments, they will have to use these concepts that Ocrimenko has implemented such as hard work and dedication to become successful.

For the stretch run to a conference championship, there are four divisional opponents left. Standing in their way is Montclair State University, The College of New Jersey, Rowan University, and William Patterson University.

Coach Doherty on the women’s side has a similar approach as coach Ocrimenko. Currently standing with a 9-1-1 record, the team feels very confident going forward.

The top goal scorer on the women’s side is Carly Seidel with 11 goals, followed by Deanna Columbia with six goals scored.

On the teams progress so far Doherty says, “Were progressing great and getting better every week. All the players and staff are working hard and it will pay dividends.”

Doherty believes the team should stay consistent in what they are doing. “Keep doing what they are doing now and raise the level of play,” he says.

September 19th they play their first conference opponent at home against Rutgers-Newark, followed by Rutgers-Camden, Ramapo College and others.

Doherty states: “They are all important games but we have a big conference schedule coming up.”

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