By David Goldman, Staff Writer
As Bullets athletics inches toward the winter season and heads indoors, we look back on the successful season of both the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Gettysburg. The men finished with a 9-4-5 overall record, going 4-2-3 against conference opponents, whereas the women finished at 6-7-5 with a 3-3-4 conference record. Both teams went on to lose in the first round of the Centennial Conference Tournament to end their seasons. However, as with any season, the 2022 Bullets soccer programs saw their fair share of success and owe a large part of it to their leaders on the pitch.
Grace Slevin ’23 was one of those leaders for the women’s team this year. The senior captain from Virginia Beach, Virginia reflected on the season and on her time as a Bullet.
Grace Slevin ’23
Slevin said that she ultimately chose to be a Bullet because of the team atmosphere and the competitive nature of the program. She has not regretted it for a minute and said that the most rewarding part about playing soccer at Gettysburg has been the people she has met along the way.
“I’ve made lifelong friends and connections that I’ll have forever,” commented Slevin.
She admitted that the most challenging part of her collegiate career was dealing with the COVID pandemic. Slevin’s sophomore season was terminated early, and “keeping the team together was difficult.” However, through her leadership, the team managed to rebuild its chemistry and went on to have seasons full of success.
Slevin said that this past season was unlike any season she has had before.
Slevin shared, “Our team chemistry was the best it had been in my four years here. I don’t think our record shows how good of a team we were this year.”
While Slevin’s leadership on the field led her team to victory, her skills as a leader will impact her life after she hangs up the cleats.
“I now know how to work with different types of people and how to make everyone feel heard in a larger group,” said Slevin.
The captain also added that she learned about her own style of leadership and where her strengths and weaknesses reside. Undoubtedly, Slevin will leave Gettysburg with a feeling of accomplishment on and off the field. Along with her stellar leadership, she played in 46 games throughout her career and scored seven goals.
For the men, Nikko DiSimplico ’23 and Conor O’Donnell ’23 led their squad through battle this season as captains. DiSimplico is from Hockessin, Delaware and O’Donnell hails from Newtown, Pennsylvania, but both chose Gettysburg because of the soccer culture and style.
“It is an exciting style that requires hard work, technical ability, and creativity,” said DiSimplico.
After four years in the orange and blue, both captains can say that it has truly been rewarding to play soccer at Gettysburg.
“The most rewarding part has certainly been returning the program to heights it hasn’t gotten to in over two decades,” said O’Donnell.
On the other hand, though, O’Donnell stated that the most challenging part of his time as a Bullet has been trying to live up to that new standard that has been set.
Based on the numbers, it is clear that the men saw success on the field this season, but DiSimplico added that it is not just the stats that have made this season great.
He explained that they “have created an environment for players to grow throughout their collegiate career while having support from coaches and teammates.”
DiSimplico also stressed the importance of the relationships he and his teammates have off the field and how they positively contributed to the overall team culture.
Both captains stated that their leading spirit will translate into the real world.
“Throughout my work career it will be important to work with others. It will be important to listen to different perspectives,” said DiSimplico.
O’Donnell followed this up by saying that not only will his skills as a captain help him in his career after college but will help maintain lasting relationships with friends and family.
O’Donnell and DiSimplico have played in a combined 84 games throughout their careers. Although it is time for them to retire from Bullets soccer, their impact will not go unnoticed.
