The Family Connections - Men's Soccer Enjoys Close Forming Relationships During 2022 Season

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (February 2, 2022) - In sports, it is common to hear a coach preach to a team about becoming more than just a team but a family. Those comments about being a family or a brother/sisterhood can be heard after Super Bowl wins when the players hug each other and call one another their brother. However, it wasn't just a mentality but a reality on this year's men's soccer team. This year's team was unique because there were three families on the team. Head coach Devin O'Neill was joined by both his sons, Sean O'Neill and Shay O'Neill, Assistant Coach Jeff Montagna was joined by his son Jayden Montagna, and finally, there were the Riley brothers, Sam Riley and Mike Riley. The team went 10-7-3 and made their first CCC semifinal appearance since the 2017 season. A lot of the success can be traced back to the family connection.

It starts with the head coach, Devin O'Neill, and his sons, Sean and Shay. Coach O'Neill just finished his eighth season as head coach of the Golden Bears' Men's Soccer team. In 2021, he was joined by his older son, Sean, who transferred to WNE from Merrimack College."When asked about his experience at Merrimack College, Sean said, "really enjoyed my time there (at Merrimack)," but "there was something missing." This season, Shay joined his brother and father at WNE for a season where Shay, his brother, and his dad could be on the same team together for once. Coach O'Neill, Sean, and Shay mentioned that because of the age gap, both Sean and Shay always missed out on playing together, so this was a special year. Coach O'Neill had coached his sons individually on club teams before, but this year was the first with both of them on the same team. "In my eyes, he is the best coach in the world" Shay said when asked if having his dad and brother on the team played a major part in coming to WNE.

Having his brother on the pitch meant a lot as well as, Shay mentioned that "knowing that you had a literal brother on the field and having someone to back you up no matter what definitely helps give you some confidence." The O'Neill's are not the only father-son duo on the team. Assistant coach Jeff Montagna and first year Jayden Montagna are also on the list of father-son duos. Jeff just finished his second season as an assistant coach for the Golden Bears, and this was the first year that Jayden joined the team. According to Jayden, this scenario had been the case before as Coach Montagna had coached Jayden in club soccer. However, "Knowing that I could be with him for four more years felt like a win-win." Finally, there are the Riley brothers. Mike Riley, the older brother, was a junior this season. Sam Riley, the younger brother, was a sophomore this season. This was the first season for the brothers playing together at WNE, as Sam transferred in from Assumption before the season started. They started the majority of the games with Sam starting 16 and playing in all 20 games, and Mike started 14. According to both coaches, the Riley's will be joined by their younger brother next year as the trio tries to help the Golden Bears make it back to the CCC semifinals and possibly even further.

This season was a special one for the team. The Montagna's and the O'Neill's were asked about the chemistry on the pitch during games and practice. Sean talked about when he and Shay were on the pitch together; there was "some type of telepathic thing." The Belchertown, Massachusetts natives mentioned that they knew where the other would be before they were there. They knew the pass the other wanted. With Shay being more of an attacking midfielder and Sean being more of a defensive midfielder, the O'Neill brothers thought their styles were "complementary." The team flowed very well, winning three of their first four games. It was due to the tight connection and chemistry between the pairs of brothers on the pitch.

Team chemistry is super important to a successful team and keeping strong relationships helps that. It can be tough to keep family relationships as strong with these situations. Coach Montagna talked about how he treats Jayden just like the other players. He also mentioned it is easy to be that way because he sees all the players on the team as his "sons." Jayden mentioned on the same topic that it was not a very difficult transition to being coached by his dad in college, stating, "Having him as a coach my whole life, I know what the standards are." When asked about the chemistry with the other players, Jayden mentioned that he and Shay had played club together and that he and Shay "already knew how to work together." Coach Montagna noted that the two players won a National Championship together on the same club team. In talking with Coach O'Neill about the subject of chemistry, he reiterated points that his sons mentioned and mentioned points about watching sibling rivalries come out in practice. These rivalries that were spoken about, inspired good play and teachable moments.

Some people may think that being on the same team as your family members could change a relationship, it was business as usual. As spoken, it was a different relationship between coach and son, brother and teammate, and captain and coach. However, Coach O'Neill noted that "(Sean and I) had to check in frequently" so that they were both on the same page and the relationship was not hindered. Coach O'Neill also said, "It was hard at first, but in working together, I think we got to a really good point." It was evident that this season had a very special place in his heart. He had mentioned that with Sean originally at Merrimack, he barely got to watch his eldest son play soccer at a collegiate level. He only got to watch "a few games at Merrimack." Now with both sons on the team, he could do his job and see his sons do well.