Riverview grad Michael Komaniak shines in leadership role for W&J men’s soccer
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Michael Komaniak is dangerous.
The opponents of the Washington & Jefferson senior forward know that all too well.
Point Park saw that first-hand Sept. 1.
The Presidents team co-captain and Riverview graduate made his presence felt throughout the nonconference season opener. Komaniak factored into all three goals in W&J’s 3-2 win.
He scored two of the goals, including the winner in the 89th minute, and added an assist.
“I felt really healthy coming into that game, and I thought I played really well,” said Komaniak, who, for his efforts against the Pioneers, was named the Presidents’ Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week.
“It could’ve been anyone with a big game. We have so many talented players. We had a solid team effort against a good Point Park team, and I was able to take advantage of my opportunities.”
The Point Park game was another example of what Komaniak has been able to do as a leader for the Presidents, the two-time defending PAC champions.
“As a coach, and also from his teammates, it’s hard to find a fault in him,” W&J coach Ian McDonald said. “He is the fittest guy on the team. He really takes care of himself. He never misses a practice. He excels both athletically and academically. We see that he might sometimes be overzealous to want to succeed even further. He’s never satisfied with his play or the play of the team. He’s always pushing forward.”
After a strong sophomore season in 2019, Komaniak earned a captain position, and he helped guide the team through all of the covid restrictions and rescheduling.
The Presidents played a conference-only spring schedule in March and April and finished 8-2-1 overall. They topped Westminster, 2-1, to win the PAC tournament title.
“The guy has definitely earned his leadership position,” McDonald said. “He is so respected among his teammates. When he tells people to get ready and get focused, they pay attention. He talks the talk and also walks the walk. He doesn’t want to hear anyone moaning or complaining about putting the work in.
“He wants to be challenged and wants to compete each game.”
After the Point Park win, W&J, which Komaniak said has been battling through injuries, ran through a rough patch with losses to Hiram, Capital and Carnegie Mellon.
The Presidents then went into a covid quarantine competition pause, McDonald said, which saw nonconference games against Mt. Union (Ohio), La Roche and Hood College (Md.) canceled.
“That was tough because you want to play those games against really good teams like Mt. Union,” Komaniak said. “You want to play those teams who are a challenge to you and will help you get ready for conference play.”
W&J was scheduled to return to action Wednesday (Sept. 29) with its PAC opener at home against Grove City.
“We have a group of guys, including Michael, who are going to push through, no matter what, and let the chips fall where they may with no excuses,” McDonald said. “They will work to put themselves in the best position to be successful.”
Komaniak began his collegiate career in 2018 with three starts and 17 games played overall. He tallied three goals and an assist as W&J went 6-10-1 overall and 4-3 in the PAC.
He came back as a sophomore in 2019, started all 22 games, and broke out with eight goals and seven assists to help the Presidents rally from a 2-5 start, finish 12-8-2 overall, 7-0-1 in PAC play and qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
Komaniak was named to the PAC All-Tournament team and was an overall All-PAC second-team selection.
He picked up All-PAC honorable mention honors in the spring with 10 starts in 11 games.
After the season, Komaniak was recognized academically with CoSIDA All-District recognition, and he also was the recipient of the United Soccer Coaches’ College Player Award of Distinction.
The award recognizes those players who achieve strong play on the field, represent the highest ideals of team leadership, exhibit quality character through sportsmanship and has made significant contributions to the benefit of the soccer program and the community.
“That was a great feeling to receive that award,” said Komaniak, who is set to graduate in the spring with a degree in economics. “It’s nice to see all the hard work put in during the summer and during the season and staying up late to study, things like that, be recognized. A lot of credit goes to my teammates, who are really supportive. I was the face of that award, but there was some deeper meaning behind it.”