By Josh Svets, @svetz17
Senior Garrett Pasono has had a productive career at Bona’s. Named to the College Sports Madness preseason second team All-Atlantic 10, Pasono has been a key player for the Bonnies. Last year, Pasono, started all 19 games, scoring three goals while anchoring a defense that allowed 30 goals all year.
Despite his performance the previous year Bonnies are 0-1 thus far this season, losing 3-0 to a tough Delaware squad. However, Pasono and the team will look to change that as they host Niagara at home Sunday.
“I think we match up well, last year we put in a good performance against them,” said Pasano. “We are a young team, but so are they so were looking to get our first win of the season.”
Pasono then delved into his experiences at Bona’s, particularly, his freshman year as a starter on the team.
“I came in kind of trying to get a feel for everything,” said Pasono. “We had a young team, there were a few juniors and seniors but the bulk of it was sophomores and my freshmen class. As a freshman, all you can do is work as hard as you can. I had a good showing during preseason and the first exhibition game, allowing me to win the defender spot and I kept it. Games were tough, there’s a learning curve and I didn’t really have a chance to learn the ropes, but as I progressed it really helped me my past three seasons.”
Despite starting as a freshman, Pasono was unable to score a goal in his first season. However, that all changed sophomore year against Hartwick.
“We were tied 0-0 and it was a corner kick,” he said. “I made a run to the back post and the keeper misplayed it and it fell to me, then I was able to get past my man and put it in for my first goal.”
While Pasono did enjoy scoring his first collegiate goal, he really didn’t expect it.
“I was surprised actually”, said Pasono. “I didn’t have many chances during my freshman year so I didn’t expect to my sophomore year. It’s a good memory though.”
As fond of a memory his first goal may be to him, Pasono’s favorite moment occurred last year, coincidentally on his birthday.
“There was a weekend where we tied St. Louis at home. Then we hopped on the bus Saturday to play top 25 Dayton on the road,” he said. “We ended up beating them 1-0, it was also my birthday so that bus ride home was just one of the best moments ever.”
As for Pasono’s plans for the future, he will be returning to Bona’s next year as a graduate student to receive his masters in journalism and mass communications. He also is involved with the radio station, WSBU-FM, 88.3 The Buzz. He is also currently writing for Fullscalesports.com out of Chicago, covering the NBA and college basketball once the soccer season wraps up.
As for his time on the soccer team, he’s going to miss it.
“It all goes by pretty fast, never take anything for granted,” Said Pasono. “If I could, I’d go back and try and do it all over again. It’s been a great experience, and I’m glad I came here to play soccer, I wouldn’t change a thing about it.”
*The men’s soccer team plays Niagara Sunday at 4 p.m. on the turf field.
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