Junior midfielder Adam Maabdi and sophomore forward Gabriel Bagot have had a lot to do with the recent success of the soccer team here at St. Francis College.
 
Something is cooking these days on the soccer field for sure. Could it be that they both engage in celebration dances after every goal? What about the fact that they are both natives of France and seem to have some sort of all powerful “French Connection”?  Whatever it may be, Bagot and Maabdi come fully loaded with talent and have seemingly re-energized the program. 
 
By this time last year, the Terriers did not pick up a victory until the fifth match. So, if you have been in the collegiate soccer dark you might have to do a quick double-take. Currently the club is riding a torrid seven game win streak, lifting them to a superb 7-2-1 record. Further, they carry an unblemished 2-0 record in conference play which is good for a fourth-place tie in the NEC standings. It's a complete about face in terms of the teams' accomplishments from last season.
 
St. Francis has gotten major contributions starting from the top in guys like Maabdi and Bagot, who have seemingly worked their finesse and drive so much that it has rubbed off on their teammates. Currently the Terriers are at the top of their game both offensively and defensively. They top the conference in assists with a solid 1.75 per game average. The team is cemented in first in the goals allowed department, holding opponents to a stingy 0.70 per game mark. And they are tied for second in shutouts with five.
 
If you ask Maabdi what's gotten into these guys, he'll say it's all about pride. “Gabby and I are proud to play here. We love to compete and win and so does the rest of the team.”
 
And win is exactly what they have done. In fact, a victory against Robert Morris would tie a conference record for consecutive victories. Without question the tandem can put up numbers. For example, this year alone, Gabby and Adam lead the team in almost every major category. In the goals department Bagot is first with four and Maabdi, the team's best playmaker, follows in close second with three. In the point's category, Gabby lands in first with ten while Adam falls into second with seven. Both players have come through with a pair of crucial game-winning tallies. This is just a taste as to what they can do.  
 
Last year was just about them getting their feet wet. Fans got to see what they had to offer but the duo was not quite ready for the spotlight which shined largely on standouts like the Baum brothers (Nick and Greg) and All-Conference performer John Sallhag.
 
But now the time has come for them to take on the role as the go-to players and run with it.
 
The men are modest and claim that they are average players just doing their jobs. However, you cannot deny the results. “We work very hard” said Bagot, “It's awesome to play here, we love the school and we love the game.”     
         
Whenever the two take to the field, it appears that their play is enhanced to a degree, sort of like they share a kinship, which enables them to perform at a much higher level. Although they did not play together overseas, they share the same homeland in France which would stand to say that it makes playing together easier. “We are both from France and we share a bond,” Bagot admitted. “I know what he's thinking and he knows what I'm thinking.”
 
The connection is something that was lacking last season and   it's not a surprise that team has been able to play so well.