In front of a packed home crowd and a campus buzzing with anticipation, the men’s soccer team walked onto Park Ave Field on Nov. 16 for a moment years in the making: the program’s first-ever home MAAC Championship match.
Source: Contributed by Graduate Student Andy Trevino
For head coach Anthony Anzevui, the scene alone marked how far the program had come.
“We were incredibly proud,” said Anzevui. “Walking out in front of our home crowd, with the whole SHU community and our alumni for a championship game was a moment that showed how far the program has come and what this group has earned.”
The Pioneers entered the title match undefeated in conference play. Yet, in the final, despite dominating possession and outshooting Siena 22–7, the Pioneers fell 2–1 after a late push came up just short.
Sophomore forward Brady Poor scored his third goal of the season in the 79th minute, sparking a frantic finish as Sacred Heart nearly erased a two-goal deficit.
Senior captain David Garcia Gallego, who played in his final collegiate match, said the conditions made the championship unlike any other game this year.
“It was a different kind of final — not as much intensity as the semifinal because of the strong wind, which made it difficult to control the ball,” said Garcia Gallego. “We dominated most of the game, but in a final, mistakes cost you. After going down 0–2, we pushed with pride for the last 15 minutes and almost completed the comeback. No matter what, I’ll always be proud of my team.”
Anzevui echoed that sentiment.
“We played the game we wanted,” said Anzevui. “A few key moments went against us, which are the little details that can be decisive in a final.”
The loss came just three days after one of the most memorable victories in program history — a semifinal win where Sacred Heart defeated Fairfield University with an overtime goal by Garcia Gallego. In front of an electric Park Avenue crowd, Garcia Gallego said he’ll carry that moment forever.
“Scoring the last goal on our home field against our biggest rival is a feeling that will stay with me for life,” said Garcia Gallego. “Celebrating it with the whole team and our fans was incredible.”
Hosting both postseason matches created an energy unlike anything Garcia Gallego had experienced in his four years with the program.
“The energy in these last two games was different from anything I had experienced before,” said Garcia Gallego. “Everyone on campus knew the semifinal and final were being played at Park Ave, and a lot of people showed up.”
Though the championship slipped away, both Anzevui and Garcia Gallego say the postseason run represents a turning point.
The men’s soccer team took home three All MAAC honors; Anzevui won Coach of the Year, senior Luca Marinelli won Goalkeeper of the Year and graduate student Daniel Losfablos won Defender of the Year.
“It raises the bar,” said Anzevui. “Now the expectation is to compete for championships every year, and the players know what that level feels like and what it requires.”
Garcia Gallego believes the younger players will carry the momentum forward.
“If they continue with the same mentality and hunger, they’re going to have many opportunities ahead,” said Garcia Gallego. “The foundation we built this year stays strong for a long time.”
As the Pioneers turn toward next fall, Anzevui said the message to the returning group is simple: embrace the pain and let it fuel them.
“Be grateful for the pain because it meant we put everything into it,” said Anzevui. “Use this as fuel to prove we can compete at the top and go a step further next season.”
Athletic Communications contributed to this article.
