Hitting the field for his third season, Ryan Malone has led his team to a 5-2 record, tallying three goals along the way. His last goal came at a crucial time, as Springfield found themselves amongst a
scoreless bout with Endicott. Malone found the net in the 52nd minute to give the Springfield College men’s soccer team a 1-0 shutout victory against the Gulls on Monday. The senior defenseman has also contributed a commendable amount of offense, connecting on the game-tying goal against Eastern Nazarene and finding the net for the game winner against Western Connecticut. This past week, Malone’s efforts earned him the NEWMAC Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week.Q
Q. What is your role on the team this year?
A. My role as a senior has changed tremendously from last year to this year, becoming more of a leader not just on the field but with other stuff we do as a team off the field. There is a lot more responsibilities now that I have been with this program for four years now, and the coaches and the teams expectation of my leadership is pretty high just because of being an upper classman.
Q.What are some team and individual goals for you this season?
A. Some individual goals this season for myself are just to make this season the most memorable. Whether that means winning another NEWMAC championship or whether it is just enjoying this season with my senior class and having fun when we win and sticking together as a team when we lose. I really would like to earn an all-american honor this year, that would be my biggest goal. But if that doesn’t happen I wont be upset because ill know i still enjoyed my season with my best friends. For team goals, we just focus on being positive day in and day out and keep supporting each other through the wins and loses. This is a good group of guys to be able to win another championship so that’s a goal we as a team are striving for.
Q. What have you attributed your early season success to and why?
A. I would say the team as a whole has attributed to my success so far this season solely because though there is no individual effort in soccer. It’s about the team because if you have one great player but no team to support you or help you along the way nothing can really be accomplished individually. So i would definitely say the entire team and coaching staff pushing me and the rest of the guys and finding ways to keep us working hard each day and pushing us to not quit and to never slow down even when things don’t go our way is the main reason for my success this season.
Lauren Holt (Springfield College Athletics)
Standout freshman women’s volleyball player, Lauren Holt, has been a key addition to the Pride and has been a top-notch competitor on the court so far this season. Squaring off against Coast Guard on September 17, Holt registered 14 kills, trailing only senior, Tessa Smolinski. This past Saturday, Springfield traveled to Cambridge, Mass. to face MIT. Holt again led the maroon and white to a shutout victory, blanking MIT and earned herself a team-best 12 kills and 13.5 points. Holt leads the NEWMAC with a .411 hitting percentage and has been a monumental contributor to Springfield’s exceptional 10-0 start to the season, recently being named the NEWMAC Women’s Volleyball Player of the Week.
Q. How has the transition been to collegiate play coming from high school?
A. College definitely has a higher level of skill and expectations. We work hard everyday to make ourselves better as individuals and as a team. I also feel a lot closer to this team than my high school team which had some cliques. The girls are amazing and supportive through everything. Areal family.
Q. What are some of your team’s goals this year?
A. One of our biggest team goals this year is to never be satisfied! We hope this mentality will keep us improving through each game and eventually bring us to the regional and national tournament! Individually, I have the same mindset. After every practice or game I always leave thinking, “What is my next step to getting better?” Besides skills I also want to get closer with the team and build strong relationships like the ones I already see between them.
Q. What has attributed to your success so far this season?
A.First, I have to thank my family for their constant support in me choosing SC to begin with and for their continued support at games. They are truly my biggest fans. As far as success so far I couldn’t do any of it without my awesome teammates and coaches! In volleyball everyone has their job and one can’t be done without the others. I can’t do anything with out our strong defense and talented setters. They make it possible for me to push the tempo, be available every ball, and get one on ones. On and off the court we bring out the best in each other and I know they always have my back.
