By: Lisa Randall, News Correspondent
Coming off a strong game against Fairfield University, sophomore Dante Marini continued to contribute to the men’s soccer team’s second in their win this week at home against Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
Marini has started all seven games this season and has been a force at central midfield, winning one-on-ones and delivering the ball up field to the forwards.
“He’s had a huge impact,” head coach Brian Ainscough said.
Marini’s most direct effect on the team’s win this season has come from his two goals and four assists.
One notable assist was in the Huskies’ game against Fairfield when Marini carried the ball through Stag defenders failing to notice wide-open senior forward Josh Semerene. Marini delivered the ball to Semerene who shot for a goal, securing the Huskies’ 2-1 win.
However impressed his coach may be with him, Marini was reluctant to take credit for the unit’s success thus far.
“We all battled hard as a team,” Marini said. “We really put a lot of pressure on [the opposition] and disrupted their game plan.”
In the team’s game against Virginia Commonwealth, Marini proved once again to have a knack for winning the ball, maintaining his composure in eluding defenders and finding his teammates for a pass. He demonstrated unmistakable chemistry with senior attacking midfielder Mike Kennedy as the two continuously worked the ball up the field.
“Mike and I are really good friends,” Marini said. “We’ve got a good connection on and off the field. I think we link up pretty well.”
Marini secured the ball in the center before passing it to Kennedy who would either take it to goal for a shot or for a pass back into the center to a forward.
However, being in midfield has not stopped Marini from taking the ball to net. The sophomore has the most shots on his team with 20 and is tied with four other players with the most shots on goal.
Marini demonstrated his ability with a shot six minutes into the first half of the VCU game. The midfielder’s strong effort was kept up for the remainder of the first half, as well as the rest of the game of which Marini played all 80 minutes.
The pivotal moment of the match came in the second half when the Huskies and the Stags were tied 1-1. Marini was battling a Fairfield defender for an attempt at a shot when he was fouled inside the 18-yard penalty box. Kennedy came forward to take the penalty kick, drilling the ball past the Stag goalie not once, but twice after his first goal was discounted due to encroachment.
In terms of what he aims to accomplish during the rest of the season, Marini says he hopes to see his team win the NCAA and CAA tournaments.
“On a more personal level, I’d like to keep contributing to the team and making a positive impact on every game,” he said.
Ainscough expressed his satisfaction with the midfielder calling him a “fine player”.
“He makes things happen when he’s around the ball,” Ainscough said.
