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University of New Hampshire Athletics
Photo by Meghan Murphy
Making a Mark
11/21/2019 12:15:00 PM | Men's Soccer
By Leah Wyner
Special to UNHWildcats.com
On a frigid Saturday evening at Wildcat Stadium, the temperature seemed to be forgotten as the final whistle blew to end the 2019 America East Championship game. For the second year in a row, the No. 16 University of New Hampshire men's soccer team ended the night hoisting a trophy above their heads. As the team celebrates their AE championship, they look forward to playing on the national stage, with their first round game against Fairleigh Dickinson at Wildcat Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. While anticipating their upcoming kickoff, the Wildcats also look back on their past seasons to recognize the sources of their success.
This season saw the Wildcats' best performance in program history, with a 14-1-3 overall record, along with a second straight league championship. Sophomore defender Jonny Wolf (Hopkinton, Mass.) credits this success to the passion he and his teammates have for the sport and for their team.
"We're one big family and I think it makes it that much easier to go out every day to fight for something with your brothers. We always have fun playing so it's not like a job showing up every day, instead it's something we can look forward to and know that it's going to be hard work but fun work at the same time."
Redshirt freshman Rory O'Driscoll (Minneapolis, Minn.) sees the team chemistry as a major factor as well. "We have a really deep team. Everybody's been playing well so far, with good team cohesion overall. We have good leaders, who have all been big parts of setting a good example for the younger guys and setting a good example for everybody. "
For O'Driscoll, who will be making his NCAA Tournament debut this year, the trust he has in his teammates and the way they play their game is helping ease his nerves.
"To have a game at home is great because we have our fans here, and I'm really looking forward to it. With it being my first year, I'm excited and I know we're going to play our hearts out."
With an 8-0-1 record at home, it is no question that this soccer team thrives on the field at Wildcat Stadium. Earning a home game in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year is a goal the players strive for from the start.
"Having a home game for the first round is huge for us," said junior defender Josh Bauer (Bedford, N.H.). "It's something we've worked towards all year, to get in position to get a home game, and having our home crowd in front of us is going to be very important for us. We love playing here."
Wolf credits the team's fans as well. "Having a home game means everything to us. We have such great fans and their support drives us every day to get that win for them."
To prepare for the tournament, the team looks back on the highs and lows of not only this past season, but the team's past trips to the tournament. In regards to this season, head coach Marc Hubbard is grateful for the close games that the team has found the drive to push through until the last whistle.
"We've played a lot of tight games this year so if there's any time you're having to hold on to 1-0 leads and defend them, or have to come back from deficits on the road, it gives you that experience needed to be successful in the postseason tournament."
Thinking about past tournament appearances, returning players know what will help to push them further. "I learned that we need to have confidence no matter who we're playing," said junior midfielder Jacob Gould (Exeter, N.H.). "We're going to be able to showcase our own talents. We need to play in a way that isn't reactive to what the other team is doing and play our style of play, no matter who our opponent is."
Bauer also recalls previous tournament runs that he has gone through with the Wildcats.
"During my sophomore year we made it to the Sweet 16 and we made a good run, so we have that experience and we know what it's like to make a good run in the tournament. Last year, losing in the first round definitely humbled us a bit and will give us the motivation we need to hopefully do better and get past the first round this year."
While the Wildcats have already made history for themselves and their school, they are determined to aim higher every season, and prove themselves on the national soccer stage. With a team dynamic that helps each individual player perform to their best ability, the team has been able to validate their determination and drive for success this year. With back-to-back America East Championship titles, the Wildcats are proud of the success they have already experienced and are set on showcasing their potential further, at the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
UNH (14-1-3, 5-1-1 America East) will host Fairleigh Dickinson (7-8-4, 3-4-2 Northeast Conference) on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6:00 p.m., at Wildcat Stadium in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner will travel to Blacksburg, Va., to take on No. 10 seed Virginia Tech (9-5-3, 2-4-2 ACC) on Sunday, Nov. 24.
Tickets are available now and can be purchased here, at the Whittemore Center box office or by calling 603-862-4000. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youth 14 and $2 for non-UNH students. Tickets are free for UNH students.
PURCHASE NCAA FIRST ROUND TICKETS
2019 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament Bracket
Special to UNHWildcats.com
On a frigid Saturday evening at Wildcat Stadium, the temperature seemed to be forgotten as the final whistle blew to end the 2019 America East Championship game. For the second year in a row, the No. 16 University of New Hampshire men's soccer team ended the night hoisting a trophy above their heads. As the team celebrates their AE championship, they look forward to playing on the national stage, with their first round game against Fairleigh Dickinson at Wildcat Stadium on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. While anticipating their upcoming kickoff, the Wildcats also look back on their past seasons to recognize the sources of their success.
This season saw the Wildcats' best performance in program history, with a 14-1-3 overall record, along with a second straight league championship. Sophomore defender Jonny Wolf (Hopkinton, Mass.) credits this success to the passion he and his teammates have for the sport and for their team.
"We're one big family and I think it makes it that much easier to go out every day to fight for something with your brothers. We always have fun playing so it's not like a job showing up every day, instead it's something we can look forward to and know that it's going to be hard work but fun work at the same time."
Redshirt freshman Rory O'Driscoll (Minneapolis, Minn.) sees the team chemistry as a major factor as well. "We have a really deep team. Everybody's been playing well so far, with good team cohesion overall. We have good leaders, who have all been big parts of setting a good example for the younger guys and setting a good example for everybody. "
For O'Driscoll, who will be making his NCAA Tournament debut this year, the trust he has in his teammates and the way they play their game is helping ease his nerves.
"To have a game at home is great because we have our fans here, and I'm really looking forward to it. With it being my first year, I'm excited and I know we're going to play our hearts out."
With an 8-0-1 record at home, it is no question that this soccer team thrives on the field at Wildcat Stadium. Earning a home game in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year is a goal the players strive for from the start.
"Having a home game for the first round is huge for us," said junior defender Josh Bauer (Bedford, N.H.). "It's something we've worked towards all year, to get in position to get a home game, and having our home crowd in front of us is going to be very important for us. We love playing here."
Wolf credits the team's fans as well. "Having a home game means everything to us. We have such great fans and their support drives us every day to get that win for them."
To prepare for the tournament, the team looks back on the highs and lows of not only this past season, but the team's past trips to the tournament. In regards to this season, head coach Marc Hubbard is grateful for the close games that the team has found the drive to push through until the last whistle.
"We've played a lot of tight games this year so if there's any time you're having to hold on to 1-0 leads and defend them, or have to come back from deficits on the road, it gives you that experience needed to be successful in the postseason tournament."
Thinking about past tournament appearances, returning players know what will help to push them further. "I learned that we need to have confidence no matter who we're playing," said junior midfielder Jacob Gould (Exeter, N.H.). "We're going to be able to showcase our own talents. We need to play in a way that isn't reactive to what the other team is doing and play our style of play, no matter who our opponent is."
Bauer also recalls previous tournament runs that he has gone through with the Wildcats.
"During my sophomore year we made it to the Sweet 16 and we made a good run, so we have that experience and we know what it's like to make a good run in the tournament. Last year, losing in the first round definitely humbled us a bit and will give us the motivation we need to hopefully do better and get past the first round this year."
While the Wildcats have already made history for themselves and their school, they are determined to aim higher every season, and prove themselves on the national soccer stage. With a team dynamic that helps each individual player perform to their best ability, the team has been able to validate their determination and drive for success this year. With back-to-back America East Championship titles, the Wildcats are proud of the success they have already experienced and are set on showcasing their potential further, at the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
UNH (14-1-3, 5-1-1 America East) will host Fairleigh Dickinson (7-8-4, 3-4-2 Northeast Conference) on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6:00 p.m., at Wildcat Stadium in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. The winner will travel to Blacksburg, Va., to take on No. 10 seed Virginia Tech (9-5-3, 2-4-2 ACC) on Sunday, Nov. 24.
Tickets are available now and can be purchased here, at the Whittemore Center box office or by calling 603-862-4000. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youth 14 and $2 for non-UNH students. Tickets are free for UNH students.
PURCHASE NCAA FIRST ROUND TICKETS
2019 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament Bracket
Players Mentioned
B
/ Men's Soccer
F/M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M/B
/ Men's SoccerSunday, October 04
Wednesday, September 30
Wednesday, September 16
Wednesday, September 09