Johnnies win their first MIAC game of the season

The SJU soccer team started the MIAC conference schedule strong to improve to 4-0-2 overall on the season in a 7-0 win over St. Mary’s University.

Junior defender Cole Ober started the scoring with his first collegiate goal 14 minutes into the game. First-year forward Cooper Nowak made it 2-0 with his second goal 38 minutes into the half. Senior forward Kevin Arthur added the final goal of the half with just four minutes to go to make it a 3-0 game.

The Johnnies cruised to the 7-0 win with four more goals in the second half, including a penalty kick from senior midfielder Matt Anderson, a goal from senior midfielder Kevin Stark-Haws and two goals from first year forward Alex Bowman.

“No one has won a game by seven goals in the MIAC since before COVID,” head coach John Haws said. “I am obviously largely happy with the result. The boys were ruthless with their opportunities and did well to limit the opponent to just a couple chances.”

The team has had lots of success in their first six games this season, which they attribute to the work they put in early on this season.

“I’m happy with the selflessness of our team,” senior midfielder Drew Engel said. “Our starters may change, or different subs come on, but nobody complains. Everyone embraces the next man up mentality and knows that to get where we want to go, it is going to take all of us. On top of that, everyone has a common goal and is willing to do whatever they are asked to help the team achieve it.”

Anderson echoed Engel’s belief in the team.

“Our team chemistry is our biggest strength,” Anderson said. “I think if we can continue to have fun and not take the game too seriously, we could do some really special things this year.”

However, the Johnnies are still early in their season and have a few things to work on.

“We need to continue to work on our focus to ensure that each minute is played with total commitment,” Haws said.

Haws is hopeful the Johnnies will have a historic season if they are able to fully focus and commit.

“As a group, we need to continue to work on living in the moment,” Engel said. “If we take it one day at a time, we will be able to look back and see how far we have come at the end of the season. We’re hoping that results in a MIAC title.”

The Johnnies’ unbeaten record will be put to the test when they head to St. Peter this Saturday, Sept. 24, to take on 18th-ranked Gustavus.

“If we can beat them that will make a lot of noise,” said Anderson. “Beating them would be really nice, and I know that we can, so we have our eyes set on them for Saturday.”