CAPTAINS' CHRONICLES: SENIORS READY TO MAKE THEIR MARK

BOSTON Mass. - Welcome to Captains' Chronicles, GoECSaints.com's newest feature designed to get you more informed and involved with your favorite EC teams through the eyes of the captains.

Nick Sczerbinski, Assistant Sports Information Director: What did you do during your offseason?

Cian O'Sullivan, senior captain: I tried to play as much soccer as I could, but I couldn't really find a team to play on in Boston. I played a lot of pickup, but definitely did a lot of fitness.

David Field, senior captain: I had a mix of both soccer and non-soccer. I traveled around a decent amount in Europe, relaxed, and played in Sweden for a month and a half. I trained every day there so I came back in decent shape.

Stefano Sainato, senior captain: I'm the complete opposite because I had to work all summer. I didn't really get any fitness or soccer in, I could get small games in in a league when I could, but my father owns a restaurant, so I had to work every day from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. It really kicked my butt coming back here for the first couple days of training.

NS: Did the fact that you're captains change anything about your offseason routine?

DF: Yeah, I was up a lot at night, couldn't go to bed because I was always thinking about stuff that we could do as a team. I was worried about the mentality of some of the guys coming back, but everyone has exceeded expectations so far. Freshmen have improved our team, but there's a lot of thinking that goes on all the time.

CO: I'm similar in that I had a lot of thoughts last season about how we could improve and how we should go about improving it and I think we've definitely done that with the freshmen this year and integrated them right away. It usually takes a few weeks for them to get settled in, but I think from the start they've been a part of the team.

NS: How does it feel to be back on campus and back in the city?

SS: It has its ups and downs for sure. I had to get used to the bad driving here compared to people in Albany. I love being back on campus and seeing everyone again. After being home with friends that you've been around your whole life, you're ready for that new feeling again.

DF: When I was in Sweden, it was a professional environment and you do everything geared towards training and there aren't really many distractions. Being back on campus, you're worried about distractions, but at the same time it's nice to take your mind off the game sometimes and so far it seems like everyone is focused on the goal of winning the GNACs.

CO: I just like having the structure back of having classes and then training at night and having a set schedule.

NS: What does it mean to each of you to be a leader?

SS: For me, I want to be a teacher, so being able to have a group want to listen to you is a big thing. If a bunch of guys don't want to listen to what you're saying, what kind of team is that?

DF: I think the combination of the three of us is a good mix of personalities and we compliment each other well. We're no different than the rest of the team, we're considered captains, and our job is to lead when the time calls for it, but there's a mutual respect for sure.

CO: The biggest thing for me is leading by example and setting the example for the rest of the team. If you do that first, everyone else will follow.

NS: How have the freshmen transitioned into college life so far? What have you done as a team to help them get acclimated?

DF: We did some stuff during the preseason, and once the season started, we do team dinners all the time.

SS: This class is the best class I've seen in terms of getting acclimated and wanting to know each other and all of us.

DF: I think we're all pretty impressed with not only the talent on the field, but the overall attitude as well.

NS: Has anyone impressed you in training and practices so far?

SS: Stefano Gambino for me. I've been friends with him for four years and seeing his transition in four years from struggling with training and not being able to fully handle college soccer to now be a starter is amazing. It's great to see how far he's come as a person and a player.

DF: I'd say Steve Sexton, because for a freshman to come in and lock down an outside back position and be so good at it, it's scary. He'll definitely be someone to keep an eye on in the future.

CO: I'd say Steve too because he's a center mid playing outside back and he's so solid there. Also, David is another freshman who's a center back and is just so strong. He'll be someone to watch as well.

NS: Obviously, the team goal is to win the GNACs. Are there any other goals for this season?

DF: In the past, there's been a lot of negativity that has hindered our performance. The three of us set a goal that we wouldn't let negativity affect our season. Staying positive through everything, being there for one another, and ultimately training well every day.

CO: In terms of getting the GNAC title, there are goals along the way like winning the first and last home games, first conference game, things like that. And I think ultimately, we just want to leave the program in a better place than it was when we came in.

NS: What does Coach Goin bring to the table as far as leadership and coaching and how has that translated to your leadership styles?

DF: I think he's made an example of past captains in good and bad ways, and he's given each of us a role as a captain which is very important. Coach Pecchione as well, has brought a level of positivity and confidence to the group that has been a great addition.

CO: Both coaches do a great job of pushing of and challenging us when we need it, so that helps a lot.

SS: I look at both coaches and they both work extremely hard and as a leader, that's what you need. Coach Goin has three jobs and then has to go home and take care of his daughter. So seeing that he works his tail off is amazing.