Midfielder William Fagerberg scores in a second consecutive game. VINCENT DUSOVIC / COURTESY
Sarah Rolka, Staff Writer
Manhattan University’s men’s soccer team took the win from Merrimack College last Saturday on Oct. 4.
After multiple ties and losses so far this season, the Jaspers came out of this game on top with 1 – 0. Within the 12th minute, MU was able to score the game-winning shot thanks to midfielder William Fagerberg. In a high-paced second half, Thiago da Silva put the first shot on target in the 55th minute. Ludvig Malberg grabbed his last two saves shortly after. After Daniel Alleyne clocked the Jaspers’ last shot in the 81st, the green and white kept the ball away long enough to secure their first conference win.
So far into the season, Fagerberg has scored in two consecutive games – this recent one having the winning shot. Fagerberg talked to The Quadrangle about how he felt having led these recent scores in the last few games, especially against Merrimack.
“It was a great feeling, especially as a team,” Fagerberg said. “It wasn’t just my goal; it was a bunch of passes through my team…and pressure that we put on as a team throughout the game and I just happened to be the one who put it in the goal.”
Fagerberg also commented on the offense in the last two games the Jaspers played and how the team has begun to connect on the field, allowing them to set him up to score and work together well.
“Over the summer we got new coaching staff and so our playing style changed from our previous coaches; I think that took us some time to figure out each other and the way they wanted us to play,” Fagerberg said. “Some people were playing more direct, some people were trying to keep the ball – so we were all on a different page. Finally, we’re starting to connect together; it’s a little late in the season for it but we’re finally starting to play as a team.
Malberg, senior and goal keeper, talked to The Quadrangle about how the game felt as a whole, but about the defense especially in this last game.
“Last Saturday felt great…winning the match,” Malberg said. “Very important for the team and the rest of the MAAC season coming up. I like to see myself as an extension of the team rather than an individual. A lot of people say ‘goal keeping is an individual sport in the team’, but you need the defense working together.”
Malberg also added on to the topic of this success as the team continues into the season.
“I feel like game to game, the further we go into the season, we see parts of our game that are doing good and we also see parts of our game that we can improve on,” Malberg said. “I think it’s putting everything together…both on the field but also when we’re analyzing our game,…and making sure that we improve every game.”
Head Coach Tom Giovatto also gave a quick statement to The Quadrangle. He commented on the excitement surrounding the team and the upcoming games of the season.
“Theres is a lot of excitement around the team. Conference games have a lot of meaning,” Giovatto wrote. “The boys are working hard and have been playing well.”
Giovatto also mentioned the difficulties of the last few games this season, plus the hope he had for their upcoming game on Saturday, Oct. 11.
“In the last game we were able to end with all 11 players on the field,” Giovatto wrote. “In the first two games we had a lead late into the games and two unfortunate red cards that made it difficult to finish the game. Mount is a very good team – well coached. It’s going to be a challenge, especially on the road. We feel we are playing well and it will be an exciting game. If we can get a result today, it puts us in a good spot to achieve our goal of qualifying for the playoffs.”