UMSL engineering student DJ Bednar is a midfielder for the men’s soccer team.

By KATIE RUTLEDGE

University of Missouri–St. Louis men’s soccer is off to a hot start with a 5-0-1 record. After scoring the game winning goal against Bellarmine on Sept. 12 to keep the Tritons unbeaten, junior DJ Bednar answered a few questions for us.

What was going through your mind when you scored the go-ahead goal against Bellarmine?

I didn’t even know it was in at first. I turned around and saw it in the back of the net and kind of blacked out with emotion. It was one of those moments you just can’t put into words.

UMSL student DJ Bednar

I feel as if the way we came into this year changed. We came in a couple weeks early for captain’s practices before coach could be there, and I think that set the tone for the year. We are all a family this year; we are in it for each other.

How is the team preparing for Southern Indiana and Illinois Springfield this weekend? (editor’s note: UMSL won both games.)

We are approaching it like every other game. I think we started off the season on a high note and we are trying to take that energy level into every game we play – never coming off the gas pedal.

What brought you to UMSL?

I came to UMSL for the engineering program and Coach (Dan) King really drew my attention he is just a great player’s coach.

What game are you most looking forward to this year? Why?

Quincy, because they are our rival and it is a home game at the end of the year and there is nothing better than that. The atmosphere for that game is going to be crazy.

What is your role as a midfielder/forward on offense and defense?

You have to remember you’re playing both sides of the ball and have to contribute the effort on both sides. But when it comes down to it on the offensive side of the ball coach is putting us there to get points (goals and assists) and get results.

How would you describe your own game? Your strengths? What you try to do?

I just try to bring the energy level up when I come in. Come in and do the small things to help us win whether that’s on the offensive side of the ball or defensive. I think my strengths lie more on the offensive side of the ball though. Meaning set pieces like corners and this year more of a scoring role compared to last year. I think the biggest difference from this year to last year is I have gained more confidence on the ball to go at people, which is one of my strengths as well.

Katie Rutledge is a UMSL senior majoring in education with an emphasis in elementary education. She’s also an outfielder on the UMSL softball team and an athletics media intern.