Winning streak for men's soccer

Eleven games into the 2018 season, the Ryerson Rams (external link)  men’s soccer (external link)  team has enjoyed an unprecedented streak: 10 wins, one tie, and zero losses.

What’s the key to their success? Head coach Filip Prostran credits a team that has been built over time.

“We had a lot of guys who were waiting in the wings, waiting for their turn, and I think they stepped in extremely admirably,” he says. “I always say a high-level program isn’t rebuilding, but always reloading, and we’ve been doing a good job of having the next person up. The culture and the winning of years past has filtered into those who have been working hard and waiting their turn.”

Another key: the players are experienced enough to keep from growing complacent. “Last year we had a final-four loss in penalty shots to York, and the year before the U of T loss… those are still, for whatever reason, fresh wounds for this team,” says Prostran.

“By no means do we think we’re untouchable or unbeatable. There have been several games this year already that we’ve won by really, really close margins, so having to overcome adversity or a goal deficit has been prevalent this year already.”

While U of T, Carleton, and Queens have remained formidable rivals, even less heralded teams have kept the Rams on their toes.

“If you look at Nipissing, we scored in the 90th minute. UOIT at home, we scored in the 90 minute. Laurentian, we barely squeaked out of there with a late free-kick from Sean Fafinski. This year, it feels like we’re getting everyone’s best game.”

Throughout the season, Prostran has stated that the job of the team is to improve a little with every game. So, what are some of the areas where the team has improved?

“If I’m talking just technical soccer things,” he says, “100 percent our defending set pieces. Our defending corner kicks, defending free kicks, defending throw-ins… these types of things we’ve looked at tapes, and were really, really poor in the first five, six games, but we’ve made a gradual jump in those areas.”

But equally important has been the camaraderie off the field. “A big part of what this team’s success is about is the ability of a player not necessarily playing the role they want, but being able to be happy for the person in front of them,” says Prostran.

“Every pre-season it comes up: ‘What are some of the things you want to accomplish?’ And the word ‘family’ always comes up. I always challenge the players and say, ‘Okay, you say family… but what if your brother or sister wins an award… how happy do you feel for them?’ Everyone says, ‘Oh, I feel extremely happy for them, I love it.’ I say, ‘Can you have that same feeling for the player that’s playing ahead of you? Or playing a role that you wanted on the team?’ That’s what a true family is.”

Prostran also shouted out some key players, especially goalie Ali Ghazanfari: “Ali’s been waiting his time, waiting his time, and now his moment has come, and he’s playing out of this world.” He also pointed to veteran mid-fielders Raheem Rose and Abdallah El-Chanti (currently leading the OUA in goals) and defensemen Alex Meczarski and Nathaniel Tambakis.

Looking ahead, Prostran hopes the streak will continue this weekend, when the Rams will travel to Ottawa to face the only team they’ve tied, Carleton. “This weekend will really be a matchup of two top teams in the country,” says Prostran.