Jerry ZurekMidfielders have to connect the defense to the offense, but men’s soccer captain, Ian McDonald, helps the entire team stay connected through one of their toughest seasons.
McDonald, No.17 midfielder, was selected to be the only captain for the ’05 season and had his hands full with a notoriously rowdy team. He held the team together through injuries, including one of his own. McDonald fractured his right shin through the stress of the season and was forced to sit on the bench for the last part of the season.
However, McDonald chose not to sit out the rest of the season. He was present for every game, standing next to the coaches, helping keep the team together from off the field. Coach Jaskelewicz said, “We miss his play and leadership on the field. Our practices have seemed flat, but he still leads and helps keep the men focused.”
McDonald’s leadership goes all the way back to high school. The assistant athletic director remembers him well and said, “He would treat every practice like it was a championship game. This work ethic made Ian a team leader.” McDonald lead through example and the director said, “It was an impressive sight to see.”
McDonald is also a leader for the entire Cabrini campus, and leads there also through example. He is a sociology and criminal justice major who is a member of the sociology club, Alpha Kappa Delta, which is an honors sociology club, and he participates in community service whenever possible.
McDonald’s senior season was disappointing. The team finished 5-12-2 and historically is one of the best teams in the PAC. Even so, McDonald said, “It was not very hard keeping my morale up. I kept the guys on the team cheerful and disciplined.”
Goalie, Andrew Brady, also a senior, felt bad that McDonald could not play in the last game because of his shin injury, after fighting for the Cabrini team for four years.
Dave Malosiecki agreed and said, “Senior year means the most and I feel bad for him because he didn’t get the senior year he deserved. But he didn’t quit on us; he supported us the same as he did when he was on the field and that says a lot about him.”
Posted to the web by Brian Coary
