The senior forward has scored three goals in the past three games
Coan Looks to Close out MU Career in Style
9/23/2019 10:29:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Coan sits in top 10 in BIG EAST for shots, shots on goal and goals
Marquette University senior men's soccer player Josh Coan is off to a roaring start in his final season as a Golden Eagle. The Indianapolis, Indiana native leads the team in shots (25), shots on goal (15), points (seven) and goals (three).
Coan has been a standout in the past season and a half at MU, but he didn't start his collegiate career in Milwaukee. The senior striker played his first two years of collegiate soccer at Pittsburgh University in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Although he played in 32 games (starting in 25) in those two years, he decided to transfer in search of a better overall fit for his playing style, among other reasons.
"The style of play kind of drifted away from what I thought it was going to be," Coan said. "It was a great experience and opportunity there, but I just wanted to find a better fit, so I started reaching out to schools about transferring after I received my release."
He eventually narrowed down his list of transfer destinations to Marquette and Creighton before opting to attend the former.
"I felt very appreciated and very wanted at Marquette. [Head Coach] Louis [Bennett] and [Assistant Coach] Sean [Hughes] showed me a lot of love and made me feel like I would really be a good fit for what they wanted to do. I felt very comfortable with them," he said.
During his first year with the program in 2018, Coan finished with three goals and three assists for a total of nine points. He also led the team with two game-winning goals, with perhaps the most important coming in a 2-1 BIG EAST road victory at Butler in his hometown of Indianapolis.
While playing on the road in the BIG EAST is a great experience, to Coan, there is nothing like playing a home game in front of all the supportive fans at Valley Fields.
"Getting to play at Valley Fields has been amazing," Coan said. "Our first home game this year we had a big crowd and the Bird Cage (MU student section) was crazy. Those crowds have an impact on us and they give us that extra bit of energy and explosiveness when we need it."
One of Coan's favorite memories at Valley Fields was the team's crucial BIG EAST quarterfinal win over Xavier in penalty kicks last season. He hopes MU gets the chance to host a couple more BIG EAST tournament games there this season as they try to advance as far as they can in the postseason.
"Getting to the BIG EAST tournament final and falling short left a sour taste in our mouth. Getting there again this year and winning it this time is a huge goal of ours. Once we get into tournament play, anything can happen. We just have to stay together as a team and keep pushing."
When discussing individual goals for his final season, Coan finds his way back to the team. For his senior season, he is focused on creating scoring opportunities and doing as much as he can for the team.
Although his career at MU will come to an end this November, he hopes to play professionally and to 'keep playing this sport as long as I can.' He's loved his time at MU and wants to be sure to soak up every moment of his final games in the blue and gold.
"I want to take every moment in like it's my last because it really goes fast," Coan said. "You never get that one season back and one team back, so you have to cherish every moment. To all the freshman, the next thing you know, you're going to be a senior and it's all you have left. Just make the most out of every opportunity you get."
Coan and the Golden Eagles return to action tomorrow night in Madison, Wisconsin against the Wisconsin Badgers at 7 p.m.
Keep up with the Marquette men's soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteSoccer) and Instagram (@MarquetteSoccer) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteSoccer).
Coan has been a standout in the past season and a half at MU, but he didn't start his collegiate career in Milwaukee. The senior striker played his first two years of collegiate soccer at Pittsburgh University in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Although he played in 32 games (starting in 25) in those two years, he decided to transfer in search of a better overall fit for his playing style, among other reasons.
Josh Coan (@jcoan98) scores his team-high fourth goal of the season to tie up the match in the 65th minute! A.J. Franklin gets credit for the assist, the first of his career.
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) September 28, 2019
〽️- 1
✖️- 1 pic.twitter.com/bOP8vecPiV
"The style of play kind of drifted away from what I thought it was going to be," Coan said. "It was a great experience and opportunity there, but I just wanted to find a better fit, so I started reaching out to schools about transferring after I received my release."
He eventually narrowed down his list of transfer destinations to Marquette and Creighton before opting to attend the former.
"I felt very appreciated and very wanted at Marquette. [Head Coach] Louis [Bennett] and [Assistant Coach] Sean [Hughes] showed me a lot of love and made me feel like I would really be a good fit for what they wanted to do. I felt very comfortable with them," he said.
During his first year with the program in 2018, Coan finished with three goals and three assists for a total of nine points. He also led the team with two game-winning goals, with perhaps the most important coming in a 2-1 BIG EAST road victory at Butler in his hometown of Indianapolis.
While playing on the road in the BIG EAST is a great experience, to Coan, there is nothing like playing a home game in front of all the supportive fans at Valley Fields.
"Getting to play at Valley Fields has been amazing," Coan said. "Our first home game this year we had a big crowd and the Bird Cage (MU student section) was crazy. Those crowds have an impact on us and they give us that extra bit of energy and explosiveness when we need it."
One of Coan's favorite memories at Valley Fields was the team's crucial BIG EAST quarterfinal win over Xavier in penalty kicks last season. He hopes MU gets the chance to host a couple more BIG EAST tournament games there this season as they try to advance as far as they can in the postseason.
"Getting to the BIG EAST tournament final and falling short left a sour taste in our mouth. Getting there again this year and winning it this time is a huge goal of ours. Once we get into tournament play, anything can happen. We just have to stay together as a team and keep pushing."
When discussing individual goals for his final season, Coan finds his way back to the team. For his senior season, he is focused on creating scoring opportunities and doing as much as he can for the team.
Although his career at MU will come to an end this November, he hopes to play professionally and to 'keep playing this sport as long as I can.' He's loved his time at MU and wants to be sure to soak up every moment of his final games in the blue and gold.
"I want to take every moment in like it's my last because it really goes fast," Coan said. "You never get that one season back and one team back, so you have to cherish every moment. To all the freshman, the next thing you know, you're going to be a senior and it's all you have left. Just make the most out of every opportunity you get."
Coan and the Golden Eagles return to action tomorrow night in Madison, Wisconsin against the Wisconsin Badgers at 7 p.m.
Keep up with the Marquette men's soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteSoccer) and Instagram (@MarquetteSoccer) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteSoccer).
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