O’Neill and Pettiglio Voted 2013 Men’s Soccer Captains
4/25/2013 1:40:00 PM | Men's Soccer
DAVIDSON, N.C. – On the heels of a successful spring campaign, the Davidson men's soccer team voted rising seniors Coleman O'Neill and Chris Pettiglio captains for the 2013 season.
“The coaches applaud and support the team's choices for leaders,” commented head coach Matt Spear, who is entering his 13th season at the helm. “Chris and Coleman are strong-willed, focused, competitive young men.”
Shortly after accepting this distinct honor, the co-captains took part in a brief Q&A.
Coleman O'Neill
How do you describe yourself as a leader? What is your style of leadership?
I tend to lead more by example than by words. I find tremendous strength and energy in supporting my teammates and watching them and the team as a whole succeed. I am extremely passionate about soccer and I love sharing this passion with my teammates.
How do you think the team did this spring in terms of development and gelling?
The spring was special because of how our team was hungry for both growth and wins. We did really well in terms of gelling and creating a new culture. By competing with each other in training and facing challenging teams in our spring games, we have a greater individual and collective confidence in what we want to and can accomplish next fall.
How is the team culture and cohesion?
Like many teams at Davidson, we are a very close-knit group, both on and off the field. In our team meeting after this past Fall Season, we all agreed that in order to succeed and reach the level of some of the top teams in the NCAA, we would need to be tougher. Throughout the spring, we felt a heightened sense of team and individual toughness in all aspects of the game, both mental and physical. We came together through our team growth in toughness, and we are ready for any and all challenges next fall.
Does your rising senior class have certain themes or ambition?
We want to continue shaping, implementing, and increasing our team toughness. We are craving a trip back to the SoCon Championship weekend in our final season. From there, we believe we have a good chance of winning and giving ourselves the opportunity to make the NCAA Tournament. Also very important to us is the legacy we leave on the Men's Soccer Program. In our final season, we hope to exhibit and ultimately pass on our collective desire to strive for excellence every day.
Chris Pettiglio
How do you describe yourself as a leader? What is your style of leadership?
I like to lead by example and allow my level of play to become contagious with all teammates. If a leader can demonstrate the requisite hard work that soccer demands for all 90 minutes (fully "connected" both in attack and in defense), along with perseverance, endurance, patience and spirited play, this can become motivational and inspirational to all team members. My style involves seeing the good in each and every player. I am quite vocal on the field and seek to provide positive feedback and encouragement when appropriate and early warning of any potential voids in offense or defense to support the "team" in any way possible.??
How do you think the team did this spring in terms of development and gelling?
At first, we were a little up and down, and had some things that warranted fixing. But I believe our camaraderie off the field, as a unit, allowed us to gel rather quickly on the field. Overall, the spring season is a time to develop both as individuals and as a team, and I strongly believe that the guys have put in great work which fuels growth in both of these areas. Also, Coach Spear allowed us to play a lot more during practice than years past, which I think will be beneficial to our chemistry going forward. In many ways, development of a squad and being able to work well together becomes a function of trust, and players on this team have a tremendous amount of trust for one another. I am hopeful that this will add to our anticipated effectiveness in the fall.??
How is the team culture and cohesion?
We are a very close-knit group on and off the field with a culture characterized by togetherness, determination and teamwork. This team strives to be a team with cohesiveness of all 11 players working harmoniously together that will help distinguish us within the Southern Conference. The overall chemistry of this team continues to strengthen with time. We hope to build upon the positives that were established in our spring season and progress in the fall.??
Does your rising senior class have certain themes or ambition?
Yes, to work extremely hard in practices and to exude confidence and toughness because you perform on game day how you played all week. Also, to execute with excellence and perform the basics extremely well -- passing, receiving, maintaining possession, controlling the midfield, shooting, making solid runs, defending and goal-keeping. The rising senior class has a lot of respect for the game and collectively take pride in contributing to: each match, the soccer program and Davidson College. I personally feel honored to be a part of a team with such a great group of guys that I can truly call my brothers.
“The coaches applaud and support the team's choices for leaders,” commented head coach Matt Spear, who is entering his 13th season at the helm. “Chris and Coleman are strong-willed, focused, competitive young men.”
Shortly after accepting this distinct honor, the co-captains took part in a brief Q&A.
Coleman O'Neill
How do you describe yourself as a leader? What is your style of leadership?
I tend to lead more by example than by words. I find tremendous strength and energy in supporting my teammates and watching them and the team as a whole succeed. I am extremely passionate about soccer and I love sharing this passion with my teammates.
How do you think the team did this spring in terms of development and gelling?
The spring was special because of how our team was hungry for both growth and wins. We did really well in terms of gelling and creating a new culture. By competing with each other in training and facing challenging teams in our spring games, we have a greater individual and collective confidence in what we want to and can accomplish next fall.
How is the team culture and cohesion?
Like many teams at Davidson, we are a very close-knit group, both on and off the field. In our team meeting after this past Fall Season, we all agreed that in order to succeed and reach the level of some of the top teams in the NCAA, we would need to be tougher. Throughout the spring, we felt a heightened sense of team and individual toughness in all aspects of the game, both mental and physical. We came together through our team growth in toughness, and we are ready for any and all challenges next fall.
Does your rising senior class have certain themes or ambition?
We want to continue shaping, implementing, and increasing our team toughness. We are craving a trip back to the SoCon Championship weekend in our final season. From there, we believe we have a good chance of winning and giving ourselves the opportunity to make the NCAA Tournament. Also very important to us is the legacy we leave on the Men's Soccer Program. In our final season, we hope to exhibit and ultimately pass on our collective desire to strive for excellence every day.
Chris Pettiglio
How do you describe yourself as a leader? What is your style of leadership?
I like to lead by example and allow my level of play to become contagious with all teammates. If a leader can demonstrate the requisite hard work that soccer demands for all 90 minutes (fully "connected" both in attack and in defense), along with perseverance, endurance, patience and spirited play, this can become motivational and inspirational to all team members. My style involves seeing the good in each and every player. I am quite vocal on the field and seek to provide positive feedback and encouragement when appropriate and early warning of any potential voids in offense or defense to support the "team" in any way possible.??
How do you think the team did this spring in terms of development and gelling?
At first, we were a little up and down, and had some things that warranted fixing. But I believe our camaraderie off the field, as a unit, allowed us to gel rather quickly on the field. Overall, the spring season is a time to develop both as individuals and as a team, and I strongly believe that the guys have put in great work which fuels growth in both of these areas. Also, Coach Spear allowed us to play a lot more during practice than years past, which I think will be beneficial to our chemistry going forward. In many ways, development of a squad and being able to work well together becomes a function of trust, and players on this team have a tremendous amount of trust for one another. I am hopeful that this will add to our anticipated effectiveness in the fall.??
How is the team culture and cohesion?
We are a very close-knit group on and off the field with a culture characterized by togetherness, determination and teamwork. This team strives to be a team with cohesiveness of all 11 players working harmoniously together that will help distinguish us within the Southern Conference. The overall chemistry of this team continues to strengthen with time. We hope to build upon the positives that were established in our spring season and progress in the fall.??
Does your rising senior class have certain themes or ambition?
Yes, to work extremely hard in practices and to exude confidence and toughness because you perform on game day how you played all week. Also, to execute with excellence and perform the basics extremely well -- passing, receiving, maintaining possession, controlling the midfield, shooting, making solid runs, defending and goal-keeping. The rising senior class has a lot of respect for the game and collectively take pride in contributing to: each match, the soccer program and Davidson College. I personally feel honored to be a part of a team with such a great group of guys that I can truly call my brothers.
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