Perhaps it is a unique situation to have three separate team captains in any sport but for the men’s Centurion Soccer team at Bucks it just seems to make sense.
James Traynor, a 21-year old center mid-fielder from Warminster, is joined by Sean O’Neill, a 20-year old defenseman from Newtown, and Mike Klimowicz, a 20-year old goalie from Levittown.
It seems head coach Justin Burroughs has covered all of his proverbial bets, as each player has their separate positions on the team and likewise their separate captaincy roles.
Traynor, the elder-statesman on the team, has a bit of unique experience to bring to the men’s squad. He last played for the Centurions in 2010 and took last year off to be the head coach of the Boys’ JV soccer team at his former high school, William Tennent.
Traynor feels that this invaluable experience helps him on the field, saying, “I am a lot more knowledgeable about the game, about positioning on the field. This new dimension allows me a unique perspective out there and helps me in so many ways.”
Also considered to be the most outspoken of the three captains, Traynor states, “I am definitely the most vocal out there, telling guys where they need to be.” James has aspirations of pursuing a future career in coaching, but first plans to obtain a degree in Sports Physical Therapy and possibly transferring to either West Chester or Temple University.
Sean O’Neill, known affectionately by his teammates as “Sunshine”, certainly exudes a particular intensity and brilliance. When asked of the expectations for 2012, O’Neill stated matter-of-factly, “We want to have a winning record, win our conference, and go far in the playoffs, possibly winning Nationals.” Lofty aspirations, yes, but what team truly goes out to the field of battle to simply lose?
As to his leadership qualities, O’Neill likes to, “let actions speak louder than words.” He says, “I want everyone out on the playing field to see me working harder than everyone else, and then they will be inclined to follow suit.”
Mike Klimowicz, as the starting goalie, should have a few more “W”s in the stat book. Yet, he appears unconcerned with his team’s early-season offensive struggles. “I try not to concern myself with stats, my own or otherwise. I just go out there trying to put up a solid effort and give my team a chance to win,” he says.
With plans to pursue a Criminal Justice major at West Chester University, Klimowicz seems not to read things as black and white, but as shades of grey. “Maybe I am not the most vocal guy, but I say what I need to out there when the situation or positioning demands it.”
The 2012 squad has already played a half of a dozen games to date with mixed results. Early losses at the hands to Mercer and Ocean are tempered by an inter-conference record that stands at 1-1-2, with both ties being fought through double overtime.
Coach Burroughs reports, “A tough early schedule including a tougher away schedule than any other school in our conference is going to make things difficult.” Burroughs credits better passing and execution for their success, but notes, “We have to do more with our blue-collar offense, be more workmanlike and get off the ball… And someone’s got to want it!”
O’Neill agrees, “We’ve been doing so many things right; our passing, communication, and possession have all been great. Now we need to put more balls in the net.”
Perhaps this is a reference to those two double-overtime ties the Centurions played to this year, notching only one goal in both games, and having both their great defensive intensity and superb goal-tending efforts by Mike Klimowicz go unrewarded.
Support the Men’s soccer team by attending upcoming home games down on the lower field located behind and below Lot “A”.
With O’Neill leading with his actions, there is little doubt that the combined effort of both Klimowicz and the vocal leader, Traynor, will ensure their teammates pull together when it matters most. With lofty goals both on and off the pitch, these tri-captains and their individual approaches to those goals seem destined for success.