Margaret BauerIf you’ve been following the Washington University men’s soccer team this season, you’re probably aware of junior forward Rob Weeks’ torrid scoring pace (six goals, two assists). And you’ve probably noticed senior goalkeeper Colin Robinson’s impressive number of shutouts. But what you might not have recognized is the monster season that senior defender Jeff LaBoskey is having.
But the secret is out. Recently named the University Athletic Association (UAA) Athlete of the Week, LaBoskey is finally getting the recognition he deserves. His feat is even more impressive if you consider that his only statistic on the season is a single assist. Operating with fierce efficiency, LaBoskey is easy to overlook because of how routine he makes his play look. Seeing him shut down opposing attackers is something the Bears have come to expect.
Coming in as freshmen, LaBoskey and fellow senior defender and captain Matt Twardowski caught the eye of Coach Joe Clarke right away. Thrown into the starting line-up from the beginning, the defensive duo impressed the team immediately and have been stalwarts at the back ever since. Two of the team’s most valuable players, LaBoskey and Twardowski are proof that players can make a very significant impact without filling up a score sheet.
The two senior standouts were at it again this past weekend as the Bears took on Westminster College on Friday and Millikin University on Sunday. Coach Clarke’s squad controlled play for the most part against the visibly weaker Westminster side. Weeks netted his fifth goal of the season in the 58th minute, recording what would prove to be his third game-winning goal of the season. The goal came as a result of a free kick from junior forward/midfielder Dave Borton, his second assist on the year. Freshman midfielder Brian San Francisco doubled the Bears’ lead one minute later on a breakaway, courtesy of a perfect pass from senior defender Andrew Dennis. After the flurry of scoring, the Bears settled and cruised to a 2-0 victory, improving their season record to 6-2.
On Sunday, the Bears were in for a steeper task against regional rival Millikin University. Having tied Millikin last season despite outplaying them, the Bears entered the game intense and ready. The team’s preparation showed in the early going as the Bears created numerous scoring chances in front of the Millikin goal. Senior Allen Gleckner applied a good deal of the Bears’ pressure in the first half while junior Sam Jacobs had a hard-driven shot tipped away at the last moment by the Millikin goalkeeper.
However, it was Weeks to the rescue once again in the 42nd minute as he pounded home his own rebound to put the Bears up 1-0. Following Weeks’ classic goal celebration, the team went into halftime with a crucial lead and a massive 13-1 advantage in shots. In the second half, the Bears were unable to add to their total, but the meager Millikin attack posed little threat against the team’s back line. As time expired, the Bears went home with an easy 1-0 victory and an improved record of 7-2.
Now with most of their non-conference schedule completed, the Bears are looking ahead to their tougher in-conference games. The UAA campaign kicks off this Sunday, Oct. 3, against the dangerous squad from Carnegie Mellon University. The defending conference champions finished last season 15-2 and were ranked in the top five nationally in the final 2003 poll. However, they could only muster a 1-0 defeat of the Bears last season. With an improved team that is playing its best soccer of the season, Coach Clarke has to feel good about his team’s chances this weekend.