'Sader Stories: Men's Soccer Senior Reflections

The Holy Cross men’s soccer team is set to play its Senior Day game when it faces Colgate on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m. Heading into that contest, we checked in with the senior members of this year’s squad to find out a little more about their time on Mount St. James. Here is what Julian Beban and Ryan Donovan had to say.

What are your best memories of playing soccer at Holy Cross?

Donovan: Definitely tying Clemson, the defending national champions, in front of a packed crowd, and beating Army on the road.

Beban: Obviously, the most distinct memories are the ones that have come on the field, but I think I'll look back most fondly on the time spent with teammates off the field. Mundane events like getting food, traveling on the bus or hanging out in the training room are some of my fondest memories. 

What kind of mark do you hope to have left on the program after your career is over?

Beban: In my opinion, one of the best things about our program is the culture between players. Since my freshman year, I think the relationships between everyone on the team have been super solid and are why I still speak to guys who graduated two or three years ago. I'd like to think that after this past year as senior captain, I've helped continue fostering this positive culture and passing it on down for the years to come.  

Donovan: I hope I’ve left the program in a better place than I found it, both on and off the field, while embodying what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself.

What life lessons have you learned during your time on the team?

Donovan: Resilience and time management. I’ve learned how to handle injuries and setbacks while balancing the demands of being a student-athlete. 

Beban: The biggest things to come out of my time here are probably the discipline and organization that comes with being a student-athlete at this school, but I think that above all of that I've found that I can find success, whether it is academic or athletic, by taking caring of the little things and establishing habits that keep me productive and healthy. 

What is the best thing about playing soccer at Holy Cross?

Beban: The best thing about playing soccer here has been the opportunity to compete at the highest level of college soccer alongside people that I love to be around, both on and off the field. I think the bonds that are made competing alongside one another are some of the strongest there are, and I'm more than certain that there are many people that I've played with whom I'll be friends with for life. 

Donovan: The relationships I’ve made since being here and getting to play at Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium.
 

What will you miss the most after your career is over?

Donovan: Celebrating in the locker room after a win, playing small-sided and being with the team during preseason.

Beban: Like I said for the first question, I think I'll miss the smaller off-field things that come with the team the most. If you told me freshman year that I'd miss the long bus rides to Pennsylvania or Upstate New York, I'd say you were crazy, but those times spent with my teammates are things I'll never get back and will be the moments I miss the most once my career is over. 

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