The Roger Williams Men’s soccer team are nine games into the regular season, with a chance to make the championship for the third consecutive year. The team is being led by Head Coach, James Greenslit, who is currently in his 10th season with the Hawks.
The Hawks fell short last season in a PK (Penalty Kick) shootout against the Western New England Golden Bears. This loss helped the motivation for the team coming into this season.
“That bitterness of being so close and not necessarily obtaining our goals, really provided motivation,” said Greenslit. “I remember after last year’s game against Western New England, when we lost in the PK shootout in the championship. Three days later I walk in the gym and there’s already 7 or 8 guys getting after it.”
In the Hawks rematch on September 21st, with the defending champions, they had come away with a 2-1 victory on the road, according to the RWU Hawks website.
Multiple new players have been added to the roster; nine incoming freshmen, two walk-ons, and two transfers. Greenslit believes he already has some standouts in this new group.
“Tyler Jastrab, I think he started every single game as an outside wing backer, midfielder for us. Louis Hawkins has played in every game so far up front coming off the bench. Murphy Malone, our transfer, has played in every game, he came from Southern Connecticut,” said Greenslit.
Not only does this team have young talent to work with for the next few years, but they also have multiple older leaders on the team ready to help the newcomers develop.
“A lot of times within teams when you have a lot of older guys, they put a stiff arm to the younger guys and say, ‘wait your turn’, not with these guys, they brought the freshmen and underclassmen and really put them under their wing,” said Greenslit.
The Hawks are 6-4-1 overall, and 1-1 in the conference as of October 2nd. The team is also 3-2 at home and 3-2-1 on the road. Greenslit believes the conference is and will continue to be tough for the Hawks.
“It’s going be a challenge. There are 5 or 6 teams who I think could really compete at the top. Any of those teams can win this year,” said Greenslit.
Despite already playing against the defending champs, Western New England, Greenslit says, “Endicott at home is our big rival.” The Hawks will be at home against Endicott College on October 15th. Following the rivalry matchup, also at home will be the senior game on October 19th against Nicholas College.
The Hawks, with a roster of 38 players, will try to rebound from last season and finish this season strong. However, Greenslit believes there is more work to be done on his part as a coach.
“I have to look in the mirror myself and try to figure out different ways to be able to not only motivate, be able to help and adapt, be able to change, and be able to put our team in the best position to be successful,” said Greenslit.
