By Samantha Paul
@samantha_alexx
Despite playing with high energy on a fast, rain-slicked pitch, the Springfield College men’s soccer found itself scoreless against Emerson College on Sept. 21, with regulation time ticking down.
The Pride did not find their opening until the 86th minute after being awarded a corner kick. The ball, played into Springfield’s offensive box, was cleared. However, the defender on the receiving end of the clearance missed the ball, leaving space for sophomore Connor Policarpio to dribble forward and bury a shot in the back of the net.
Policarpio described it as a surreal moment, contributing such a decisive goal in the team’s first conference match of the year. A week later, the midfielder also scored two goals to help lift his team over their second NEWMAC opponent Clark. He leads the Pride in goals this season, with four.
However, Policarpio says it’s the work that doesn’t appear on the stats sheet that is helping propel Springfield to the top of the conference standings.
“I know my teammates got me 110%,” Policarpio said. “I think the bond that we have is unlike any other team that we’re going to play against. I think we just believe in each other so much, and we played with each other for so long that we understand each other, that we can perform at our best.”
Policarpio’s love for competing began at age three, when his parents, both former athletes, got him involved in soccer.
After playing on club teams and throughout high school in his hometown of Bristol, Conn., Policarpio turned to Springfield for the next step in his athletic journey. One of the largest components that attracted him to the program, he said, was the team culture.
After each practice or game, Policarpio explained, the team stands in a circle and holds hands. It’s a moment for each player to reflect on their day and think spiritually. As a group, it gives them the chance to ground themselves.
“I think a lot of the guys are bought into that now, like, we’re not just doing it, we actually believe in it,” Policarpio said. “We’re taking that step forward to make it permanent for this whole program.”
Springfield men’s soccer coach Tommy Crabill describes Policarpio as a player who can make something out of nothing. Crabill says he hopes to see the sophomore continue battling for those little plays, bringing high energy and pushing himself physically.
While scouting opponents and honing those tactical skills are significant components of what the team focuses on ahead of a game, Crabill said an equally important element is the team’s connection off the pitch.
Policarpio, he says, is a large part of that.
“He’s grown in his skill, physical ability, and his endurance is tremendous,” Crabill said. “But then off the field, he’s probably grown the most in his connection with other players. He knows how to give the most of himself to his teammates so they can give him more back.”
Policarpio spent his first year adjusting to a new team and college environment. This year, he says he is taking it upon himself to be more of a leader.
On the field, that can be literal. Transitioning from playing on the wing his freshman season to now attacking more centrally, Policarpio’s game is evolving to be more confident and aggressive.
Beyond soccer, Policarpio wants to give the first years on the team the best experience possible and help them feel welcomed in college. He also says his passion on the field is a characteristic he wants to translate to the classroom.
As a Physical Therapy major, Policarpio says soccer and his field of study require similar skills. Both demand dedication, hard hours and unwavering confidence in order to succeed.
“When you’re playing a game or taking a test, you’ve been practicing for that, you’ve been studying for that, and you should know, ‘Okay, I can definitely do this.’” Policarpio said. “I just see those connections, and they help me with any doubt in my mind.”
In a season less than three months long, Crabill said he is glad to see Policarpio have such immense growth in such a short amount of time. Looking ahead, Crabill is excited to see how much further he can go.
Regarding season-long goals, Policarpio and the team are solely focused on the next game ahead. Putting the little pieces together, Crabill says, will result in the best version of the team ready to take on the conference tournament.
The Pride will look toward Policarpio and his attacking teammates to lead that charge, a challenge the sophomore seems ready for.
“I like to bring a sense of competitiveness and fire to not only the games but practice,” Policarpio said. “I love hyping the guys up, maybe even talking a little trash to them, to get them pumped up and just trying to keep the level as high as possible.”
He added, “I think every time we step on that field in a conference game, the stakes are high, so I just hope that we take the energy of this win and we keep going.”
After traveling to face at Mount Saint Vincent on Oct. 2, Policarpio and the rest of Springfield men’s soccer return home to host Coast Guard this Saturday.
Photo courtesy of Springfield College Athletics