The Bates Student

Many people are surprised to learn that Bates College is represented on the sea with our very own sailing team. The Bates sailing team is a student-run club that competes around New England. The team practices 15 minutes away at Taylor Pond in Auburn, Maine. They store their boats at a storing barn that is located on campus.

The team is coached by Peter Garcia and composed of an impressive 42 members of different experience levels, including first-years, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. In the fall of 2017, the team competed in ten regattas. There are no tryouts, so anybody can have the opportunity to sail if they are willing to learn.

The captains of this year’s team are Dylan Whitcraft ’19 and Claire Deplank ’20. Eleven first-years also joined this year’s squad: Ella Cameron, Genevieve Dickinson, Lily Edelman-Gold, Emily Entner, Caitlyn Fitzgerald, Joyce Gong, Sarah Herde, David Ingraham, Katrina Johnson, Hannah Lucas, and Monica Luna.

The team sends between eight and twenty sailors to regattas in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island on the weekends when they are in season during the fall and spring. Although the team got off to a tough start after losing the Maine Maritime regatta at the Penobscot Bay Open on September 9, on October 28, at the NEISA Dinghy Tournament in Providence, Rhode Island, the Bobcats came back strong and placed third out of nine teams. On the first day of the competition, Bates sailed a grand total of eight races and rewarded themselves with a well-deserved pizza party at Pepe’s Pizza. The next day, they secured their third-place finish with Whitcraft, Deplank, Kat Schell ’19, and Ian McNally ’20’s final races. The Middlebury College Panthers took second place, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buccaneers sailed into first place.

Hannah Lucas ’21, a first-year Batesie from New York City, joined the sailing team when she arrived to Bates. I asked her to take me through a typical day as a Bates sailor.

“Practices are Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until sunset. We meet up at the boat barn on Frye Street every day and drive over to Taylor Pond, 15 minutes away, in student cars,” Lucas says. “Our coach’s name is Peter, and he comes to practice every day on a completely volunteer basis. We run drills Monday through Wednesday, and then on Thursday, we run a bunch of races and keep score throughout the season.” Lucas also notes that after every practice, the team drives back to Bates and eats together at commons.

The sailing team has been practicing since the fall. Their first regatta of the spring will be held April 24 at Boston University.

Lucas credited her teammates for making the sailing team a highlight of her Bates career so far.

“I have loved meeting some really great upperclassmen on the team. They were so welcoming and willing to help the freshmen with life at Bates as well as on the sailing team,” Lucas says. “However, it is so relaxed, because you can go to practices as often as you like, and the practices are more fun than intense!”

She enjoys spending time on the weekends with the team, as they frequently get together outside of practices and races.

“Sailing isn’t for everyone, but you will never know unless you try!” she says.

I interviewed Bates College Women’s rower, Martha Bishop ’21, from Hudson, New York. Her season has quickly approached and she is looking forward to the teams first race on March 31.

The Bates Student (BS): Tell me about how this year has been so far.

Martha Bishop (MB): We start our season in the fall and we go until early November. From November till our trip to Florida, we had captains’ practices that were “optional” but you were really encouraged to go. The captains would lead three erg workouts a week and then two quarter workouts, and then the rest of the time you are getting lifting and cardio in on your own.

BS: Tell the Bates community about your “February vacation” Florida trip.

MB: Over spring break, we were in Florida, right outside of the Orlando area, practicing before the start of the season. We had two practices a day but it was really fun. I got to know the upperclassmen better which was nice and on the last day we were able to do a “mock race” against Stetson University.

BS: Since you have been back, what has the team been doing?

MB: We have been erging 3-4 days a week, and running the other days.

BS: What has been the most rewarding aspect of being part of this team so far?

MB: I really love the community aspect. I have made so many friends on the team, and everyone is just awesome. I think this is great to have freshman year. There is a group of women out there on campus that I know I can talk to about anything. A lot of my best friends are on the team.

BS: What is one thing you’re most looking forward to now that your season has officially begun?

MB: I am probably most excited about getting on the water. I heard the first time we are on the water officially is when we get to our first race. But I can’t wait to be on the water for practices The erg room gets really stuffy really easily.

BS: What body of water do you practice on?

MB: We practice on the Androscoggin River. There is a really nice stretch, a dam at one end, 5k or 6k down fromthe boathouse, then there is a bridge. It’s a little rocky but you get a nice 12k stretch.

BS: Do you find that there is a lot of competition on the team?

MB: I feel like people on the team are constantly pushing themselves and pushing others to get into the boat they think they should be in or the one they want to be in. For example, in junior year of high school, it got really catty on my team. I feel lucky that it is not like that here at all. Another thing that was good when we were practicing in Florida was that Coach Steenstra would switch the lineups every single day. He gave a speech about changing up the lineups and having everyone row somewhere different every day. He said we are trying out to see what people can do best.

BS: Does your Coach deliver a lot of these “speeches”?

MB: Yes, but it’s more focused for what day it is and how he wants the program to go. Like today at the end of our workout, he spoke about why we are doing the workout we do. He says “knowing your tank” which relates to your energy, especially how much energy you have. If you are having a bad day, it’s knowing that you can do this, for this much time. It’s basically knowing how well you can do that day.

BS: How is the coaching staff on the team?

MB: I think the coaching staff is really good. We just got a new assistant coach in January. I work with her, Haley, more than Coach, but I can’t really say much because I don’t know her too well yet.

BS: Tell me something the Bates community doesn’t know about the Crew team.

MB: “Chicken Patty Satty” gets us through our Saturday practices. When we are on the water, Saturday practices start at 7:00 a.m. So when we get back we are always like “its Chicken Patty Satty.” On the guys team, they even had a competition of who can make the best chicken patty satty!”

 

I interviewed Taylor McVeigh ‘21, a forward on the Bates women’s basketball team from Hanson, MA, who was named “Rookie of the Week” by the Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association on Tuesday February 6th.

Kerry Manuel (KM): How did you begin your basketball career?

Taylor McVeigh (TM): I actually was forced into playing basketball by my mom in third grade. She wanted me to try it and I was so upset I cried — I will never live that down. My aunt played at Curry College and coached younger players. I guess I didn’t want to get sucked into all of that….but then after I started playing I absolutely loved it.

KM: Tell me about this season.

TM: This season was very rewarding. We learned a lot from the ups and downs and we learned about the culture of our team and the program we are trying to build, which is something our coach has emphasized for us all season. We unfortunately did not get the end results we had hoped for, but I think it’s important that we know now what the foundation of our team is.

KM: Congratulations on receiving Rookie of the Week! How did you feel after hearing the news?

TM: I was excited! It was nice to find out that what I had been working towards this season had paid off enough.

KM: When did you find out?

TM: It’s funny, my dad was the first person who told me! He saw the post on Twitter and screenshotted it and sent it to me, and soon my aunts tagged me on Facebook. My whole family heard about it before me! They said they were really proud of me, and excited to see my hard work pay off.

KM: Why do you think you received this award?

TM: I had pretty good games against Hamilton and Amherst, but I think it was because of the comfort factor that made me stand out. A lot of the plays I made were based on my teammates, and the meshing of our team, that’s why I was able to perform. All of the plays I made were the result of a great pass by one of my teammates and I wouldn’t have been able to make the plays without them.

KM: How has college basketball been different than high school?

TM: The mindset of the team is a lot different. Everyone is willing to put in a lot of time on the court and off the court to work towards the goals of our team.

KM: What are those goals?

TM: One of the goals is to win, but unfortunately we didn’t get that result this year. However, the othergoals were about what the foundation of our team will look like for the next three years and beyond. Something we talked about at the end of our last game on Friday was around the culture shift — we want to become a winning and competing program in the NESCAC.

KM: How have you improved the most this season?

TM: Something that our coach pushed us all to do is to become a leader no matter what grade you are in. I think she really pushed us to do that and our teammates pushed each other.

KM: What is the “Leader of the Day” about?

TM: Every day at practice our coach would assign someone to be the “leader of the day” and that morning she would send her practice recommendations to our coach that she thought we needed to work on based on the previous practice or game. We would meet with [our coach] and talk about our practice plan. It was also a way she could check in with us and talk about what she wanted from us. Everyone on the team did it like three times throughout the season.

KM: What was your experience like being “Leader of the Day?”

TM: It was definitely a little bit uncomfortable because I am not one of the most vocal leaders. In high school I was more of a “leader by example,” and that is what I wanted to work on coming in. But by the end I was more comfortable with it and and more confident knowing what I could bring to the team.

KM: What would you say was the highlight of this season?

TM: I would say that the highlight was the Middlebury game in January. It was the only game we won in the NESCAC. It was nice to see everything we worked for come together and we got everything done that we needed to get done…we executed everything our coach asked us to.

KM: If you could give advice to your pre-college self, on and off the court, what would it be?

TM: I’d say on the court, I struggled with coming in injured, so I would tell myself to just keep pushing through it. It was a frustrating injury but I know I will be able to work through it.

Off the court, I would say to keep up what you have done, because it has gotten you to where you want to be. I think that’s something my parents have told me, to keep doing what you are doing and it will all work out.

KM: What are you most excited for going forward?

TM: We need to prepare this off season and throughout the summer. We will be working towards what we need to do to bring to the team. Getting prepared means doing lifts and playing pickup. But half the prep is the mindset we bring into next season — a winning mindset and focusing on what we can do to get the results we want. We have the effort, talent and ability but it is the x-factors that change a lot of the games for us, so we will be in a better position if we have those for next season.

KM: In three words, how would you want people to know you?

TM: Hard worker, leader, humble.

On Saturday, January 14, Bates’ women’s basketball team played Williams College at 3 p.m. in Alumni gymnasium. Little did spectators know, while they were arriving to the game, the team was hosting a “mini-dance party” in the locker room.

Julia Middlebrook ‘21 of Ridgefield, Conn., a guard on the team, recounts this tradition.

“Before every home game, we have a mini dance party in the locker room to get hyped up,” says Middlebrook. “I have been on multiple teams before this one, and never have I done this. That’s what makes this team so unique: everyone is able to be themselves and have fun all the time.”

Middlebrook says that the seniors put on The Circle of Life remix from the Lion King, and the team dances to the music.

Post mini-dance party this past Saturday, the team fell short to Williams College, 56-44. This is the third in-conference game loss for the Bobcats.

Middlebrook led the team in assists, with four throughout the game, and helped the team score 12 points.

When asked about the team environment, Middlebrook had nothing but positive acclaim.

“I have been able to have such a great experience on this team because of the girls and the coaching staff, who have been so welcoming,” says Middlebrook. “So far, everyone is doing their best and the energy on the team makes the practices and, obviously, the games so much fun to be a part of.”

On Friday January 12, the Bobcats were victorious against Middlebury, 60-57. Middlebrook quoted this game as the standout part of the season so far.

“The highlight of this season has definitely been Friday night. We won our first NESCAC game by beating Middlebury,” explains Middlebrook. “We haven’t beat them since 2012. It was cool seeing everyone working so hard, being successful and getting the W.”

With 12 seconds left on the clock, Middlebrook assisted the winning 3-pointer, scored by senior Emily Freedland ‘18.

When asked about the biggest difference between the high school and college game, Middlebrook said it was the tempo and commitment.

“Coming from high school to college, there is a much bigger time commitment,” explains Middlebrook. “There are more workouts, and I definitely have to put more time into it, but the upperclassmen have really helped me and the other first-years work it all out.”

Middlebrook said when she was deciding on schools to attend, she loved Bates’ school community. She said the football field in the center of campus was appealing, and the idea of knowing the people you see walking around was reassuring.

Going forward, Middlebrook is determined to stay strong.

“I am looking forward to finishing up NESCAC play, seeing how our team will develop into conference play, and if we keep up our positivity and dedication to fight for every possession,” says Middlebrook. “I am looking forward to the opportunity for us to be successful. I believe it will keep on coming if we are willing to work hard.”

The next game will be away on Tuesday, January 16 at 7 p.m. against University of Maine Farmington.

 

I spoke with swimmers Samuel Montenegro ’21 of Wynnewood, Pennsylvania and Elizabeth Cullen ’21 of Newburyport, Massachusetts about their experiences with Bates’ swim and dive team thus far.

Kerry Manuel (KM): Tell me about the Bates Swim and Dive team.

Sam Montenegro (SM): “We are the best team in the country!” That is what our coach, Peter Casares, always says.

Elizabeth Cullen (EC): Yes! I love it. That’s how he signs the end of all his emails, and he is a full believer that we are the best team in the country, which I love. It’s just a really good atmosphere, a very positive environment, and we definitely lead the country in high fives. There is also a lot of friendly competition.

SM: And we always win in warm ups. We are the first team in the water and the last team out.

EC: Yeah, we definitely put in the work.

SM: Even when no one else wants to.

KM: How has your experience been different from prior years swimming?

SM: College swimming is definitely a bigger commitment. For club swimming, it was do what you want to do and what you think is right but here, you go to practice specifically for the benefit of the team. If you don’t go to practice and work hard you are not only hurting yourself but also you are hurting the team.

EC: It is more goal oriented, not for yourself, but for the team.

KM: What are some of your goals for this year?

SM: My goals are to get faster so I can score more points for the team.

EC: Yeah, I would also much rather score points than anything else because it helps the team.

KM: What are your strokes?

EC: Distance free.

SM: Back and IM (individual medley).

KM: Does your coach ever need you to swim a different event?

SM: At the Maine State Meet this past weekend we did different things we don’t normally do.

EC: I did the 200 butterfly which is not something I usually do.

SM: Everyone was cheering for her which was awesome.

EC: It was fun to swim a different event. More people are willing to do it because we have such a small team now as opposed to in high school. People will just have to step up and swim different events. This weekend we were exploring what people can do.

KM: What was it like being at your first meet of the year against Trinity and Wesleyan?

EC: I was nervous.

SM: So nervous.

KM: How did the captains help calm your nerves?

SM: They were not trying to calm us down but actually trying to hype us up.

EC: We do a cheer at the beginning of the meet that hypes everyone up.

SM: We have the best cheer in the NESCAC.

EC: Our team gets very into it.

KM: What is the leadership like on the team?

EC: I think the captains, Sara Daher ’18 and Emma Jarczyk ’18 definitely lead by example, train hard and swim fast.

SM: They do a really good job but they are more there to help guide you along.

KM: What have you learned?

EC: If you commit to the program you will see results.

SM: Hard work pays off.

KM: What are you most looking forward to?

EC: NESCACs.

SM: Definitely NESCACs. That’s the biggest meet. I would love to go to nationals but first we need to get to NESCACs.

KM: What’s something the Bates community doesn’t know about the Swim and Dive Team?

SM: We are a quirky bunch.

EC: In a good way though.
    SM: We are all really different people…

EC: But we mesh really well together.

SM: The fact that we swim together brings us together and it’s great.

EC: You really form a bond when you have to swim at 5:30 a.m. in the morning together.

KM: If you could give your pre-college self some advice, what would it be?

EC: It’s not that hard. I was stressed coming in to it that it would be really hard.

SM: I would definitely say it’s not as hard as everyone says it is, but at the end of the day you still need to know how to buckle down and do the work.

KM: What does it mean to represent Bates?

SM: It’s awesome. When you are at a meet and see Bates on top you feel like you are a part of something bigger.

EC: It’s special we get to do that. When you score points it’s awesome knowing its going towards something and when we win, it’s cool knowing you contributed to it.

SM: When you win a meet, it’s not you who won but Bates who did.

KM: What has been the best moment so far?
     SM: I’d say the best moments aren’t even swimming but rather standing on the side of pool cheering people on and watching them work hard.

EC: It’s fun being so supportive to my teammates and then receiving that when it is my turn.

KM: Tell me a fun fact about your experience so far.

SM: I have two donuts after every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday morning practices.

EC: After every morning practice, I question my choice of 8:00 a.m. class, but then I always end up going.

SM: Yes, it’s funny but true!

KM: What would you like to tell Bates?

SM: Everyone come cheer us on at Tarbell!

EC: I agree. Having people there cheering us on makes it a lot easier to swim faster.

SM: And the more the merrier!

I interviewed first-year Billy Lahart ’21 from Franklin, MA on his experience thus far with the Bates men’s basketball team.

Q: How has college basketball been different than high school?

A: The difference is in the professionalism. The guys on the team understand what it means to be productive and they come to practice with that attitude every day.

In college, presence of mind is so important. Margin for error is small. We practice like it is a game.

People talk a lot about the speed of the game, and that is certainly evident, but what I notice especially with this team is the level of talent and skill. This year we are heavily loaded with guards. We have guys who can shoot the lights out, and they will finish it. You see the ball go through the hoop a lot more than in high school. There is a jump in talent for sure.

Q: What have you learned so far by being a part of this team?

A: Nothing is given. We have a lot of talent and a lot of guys with natural ability but at same time these guys are up at 6:15 doing conditioning, giving 110% every practice…their desire to win is unwavering. Our unspoken mantra is: “iron sharpens iron.” The only thing going to make a teammate better is another teammate giving his absolute best. First-years to seniors, our team is made of absolute grinders. I think we will surprise a lot of people.

Q: If you could give advice to your pre-college self, what would it be?

A: The college process is just a naturally stressful process for everyone. The number one thing every good coach taught me is to trust the process. By struggling to find the right opportunity, I may not have savored the last few high school basketball games, practices and moments.

To high school Billy: live in moment and trust the process. If you keep working hard trust yourself, and the doors will open. When you walk through those doors and close them there’s no looking back. I have closed those high school doors but when I look to the future, I couldn’t be more excited.

Q: What are your thoughts on the coaching staff?

A: I think the effort they put in to coach the entire student athlete, not just on the court, is great. They care about coaching the whole person. Coach Furbush, Coach Verdell, and Coach Morin are clearly committed to helping make our experience at Bates the best it can possibly be. We are open to feedback and ready to learn. Just as a good grade is the goal in a class, a win is the goal in basketball.

Nick Beati ‘20 has also been awesome to have around. He is injured but has stepped in as a fourth “coach.” He is a brother but also a great coach figure to have. We are lucky to have him. He is an unsung hero. He does the little things that make the biggest difference. It is a testament to the culture of this team.

Q: Tell me about the first time you met the team.

A: I did an overnight in the springtime and I stayed with two of the guys. I got to meet a majority of the team and they were fantastic. It was a fun-loving group. This year, when we all got on campus, before I got a chance to properly introduce myself we were playing 5-on 5-pickup. It was really getting thrown into the fire.

That was my first impression. Before even talking to them, I knew they were going to be hard workers. I could tell immediately without talking to them that these guys love being on the court. I met them formally after that.

Q: What are you most looking forward to?

A: The obvious answer would be winning, but really I am also just looking forward to spending time on the road with the boys and all the little moments that when you add them up will make the experience so sweet. The number one vision I have is of celebrating a NESCAC championship.

Q: Tell me about your basketball career.

I have had a unique high school basketball experience. Junior year I went to school in Florida, I returned to Massachusetts for senior year, then did a post grad year at Deerfield, and finally arrived at Bates.

The reason I am so grateful for the opportunity to be at Bates and to be part of the program, is because there is a newfound sense of permanence for me. I have four years to give it all I can. Community is at the forefront of what I wanted for the college experience, and Bates has that. Whether that is on the court, in the classroom, watching other sports play, going out on the weekend; Kids at Bates care about kids at Bates.

For example, I was lucky to be put in Milliken House this year. I have my brothers on the court but I am also so lucky to have my friends back in Milliken. We play “2k” (a basketball game) when we come home until late at night. There is a sense of family in our “home away from home.”

Q: What is the leadership like amongst the players?

A: We are lucky to have two captains this year, Justin Zukowski ‘18 and Shawn Strickland ‘18, who, when they were first-years, made it to the championships. They are talented basketball players and good role models who understand what it takes and what attributes a team needs because they witnessed it. I think the value you put on that experience is priceless. When you watch our practices, they lead by example. They are the most professional kids on the team. They set a great example in terms of work ethic and attitude. They are definitely special.

Q: How do you feel about playing in Alumni Gym?

A: We have the best home-court advantage. I am most excited about being part of the intense and exciting atmosphere and I think about it every day. You can never write a game off when it’s in Alumni gym.

Q: What is something most people wouldn’t know about the Bates men’s basketball team?

A: We absolutely cherish breakfast after Monday morning conditioning practice in the fall. We can actually smell the sweet aroma of bacon seeping through the air vents in Commons. It taunts us but sometimes I am convinced Coach Seltzer (conditioning coach) did that on purpose.

Q: What do you want your legacy to be in four years?

A: Hardest worker, a winner, a good teammate.

On Saturday October 28, the Bates men’s soccer team concluded their season with a 0-3 loss at Tufts University. This was the first time since 2010 that the Bobcats earned a spot in the NESCAC championship tournament.

The Bobcats advanced to postseason play after winning 1-0 against the Colby College Mules on Thursday October 26. With 24 seconds left in the game against the Mules, Beaufils Kimpolo-Pene ’20 from Bronx, NY scored a miraculous goal to solidify a win for Bates.

Josiah Krul ‘21 from Camden, ME cited this play as one of the best moments of the season.

“The game against Colby was wild. When we scored in the last second it was unreal. Everyone was in shock and no one believed it actually happened,” Krul says. “We continuously reminded ourselves throughout the season, ‘no pressure, no diamonds’ because without pressure you can’t make diamonds. I guess it has basically become our team saying. At the time where the pressure was high we pulled through, making it so meaningful and memorable.”

Krul recognized the emotion that advancing to the playoffs brought to the team. He explains, “The playoffs elicited a lot of emotion. It was definitely and especially visible by seniors. It just meant something more to them than anyone else.”

Eventually, the Bobcats could not beat the No. 4 nationally ranked team, the Tufts University Jumbos.

After the defeat on Saturday, the seniors were caught teary-eyed. Krul said he will miss the great leadership they brought to the team next year.

“The seniors embodied what I want in leaders. As a player who dealt with different leadership on multiple teams, these guys encompassed what I deemed as qualities necessary in a good leader,” Krul says. “They were definitely a good mix of different kinds of leaders. They all had contrasting personalities and you could learn something different from each and every one of them. It was top-notch.”

For example, Krul remarked that Max Watson’s ‘18 “pre-game speeches would always get you going.”

Blaise Marceau ‘21, a first-year from Newton, MA agreed with Krul.

“The seniors leadership gave our team and the whole season a lot of structure and discipline, and these things were fundamental to our success as a unit,” Marceau says. “Personally, they gave me a lot of guidance on and off the field and were my role models from the first day of pre- preseason over the summer and will continue to be.”

The Bobcats say goodbye to the following seniors: captain PJ DiBenedetto, captain Max Watson, Justin Yacovino, and Nate Merchant.

Marceau went onto speak directly about the whole team as a unit this year.

“Our team was characterized by grit and ruthless fight which really came out in everyone on the team during our battle against Tufts on Saturday,” he explains. “The model leadership we had was very evident in Saturday’s game, seeing everyone play till the last minute for the guy next to them and their leaders.”

Moving forward, first-years Krul and Marceau are excited to continue furthering their soccer careers. Working alongside their teammates, they are positive that success for Bates College men’s soccer is inevitable.

Krul considers himself lucky as he has “another shot the next year and the next year and the next year to make it all the way.”

 

Satur

day, Sep. 30 marked another exhilarating game for Bates’ men’s soccer team. As the Bobcats laced up their cleats and took the field, the scene was filled with excitement. A terrific crowd is usual for a game on Saturday — especially when it is sunny and 60 degrees.
The Bobcats were coming off of a tied game at Williams the week before, facing Trinity and hungry for another win.
“The season so far, has been really fun. The guys are great and they have been really helpful getting me introduced to the program,” Josiah Krul ‘21, from Camden, Maine, remarks before the start of the game. “In terms of wins and losses, we are not exactly where we want to be, but we are very optimistic going forward,” he says.
After a hard fight on Saturday, the Bobcats ultimately drew a 0-0 tie against the Trinity Bantams. The Bobcats could not solidify a win yet again.
Spectator and first-year, Roy Mathews from Columbia, South Carolina recognized and admired the passion this team has for their sport.
“I was there the second half. The game was pretty good. They played their hearts out,” Matthews says. “They out hustled the other team and I could tell they just wanted it more.”
And it wasn’t just Mathews who believed they were more passionate and motivated. Krul adds: “We really feel we should have won the game. We kept the ball in their half the majority of the time and we had more shots at the net.”
It was recorded that Bates had 17 shots attempted on Trinity’s net.
Krul continues, “We introduced a high press defense that kept the opposition on their heels for the majority of the game.”
Junior goalkeeper and stand-out player Robbie Montenegro ‘19 made eight saves on the net during the game. This is Bates’ fourth in-conference game.
With another 0-0 tie, Krul said the team is very determined going forward to finish games with a win. “We obviously want to be undefeated and have a long season ahead of us,” Krul says.
Regardless of the disappointing tie, the energy seemed to favor the Bobcats. Spectators agreed that the field and bench were equally enthusiastic. The Bobcats on the sidelines were eager to send positivity to their teammates on the field.
When asked about his team, Krul said that “they were like a family.” In addition, he mentioned that the day before their game against Trinity, they listened to a motivational speech from former England youth national team player and mental coach, Luke Staton.
“Luke had a lot of powerful advice. I honestly didn’t hear one bad thing; everyone loved him” Krul remembers. “He told us stories and we did a few team building games. He also gave us these six words that he lives by: THIS COULD BE YOU ONE DAY. I think that stuck with a lot of the guys, including me. Overall, the presentation was about passion and pursuing goals with a purpose.”
As for the rest of the season, Krul says: “My goal is to adjust to the NESCAC pace and speed of play so going forward I can make a bigger impact.”
The men’s soccer team hopes to channel Coach Staton’s advice and are eager for a well-earned win against Connecticut College on Saturday Oct. 3.