"COLLEGE CONNECTIONS:
Shigo hasn't skipped a beat"

by MIKE LOWE
PORTLAND PRESS HERALD
October 8, 2009

When he was attending Lake Region High in Naples, Todd Shigo knew he wanted to continue his soccer career at a college in the Northeast. Division I, II or III, it didn't matter.

But he couldn't make up his mind where he wanted to go. Finally, a cousin who attended Stonehill College in Easton, Mass., invited him for a visit.

"I liked the campus, the facilities and the athletics," said Shigo. "It seemed like a good match."

Now in his junior year at Stonehill, Shigo has emerged as one of the Skyhawks' top players. A center midfielder, he has led the team in assists each of his first two years and is in the same position this year, with two assists in the team's 11 games.

"He's been an impact player since he showed up here," said Jim Reddish, Stonehill's second-year head coach. "Every year he's gotten better. He came in here as a skilled player, able to beat people one on one and create offensive opportunities. But this year his overall play has improved, especially defensively."

Stonehill plays in a very competitive Division II conference, the Northeast-10. The fact Shigo stepped in and started 11 games as a freshman "says a lot about his talent," said Reddish.

Shigo finished his high school career as the Lakers' all-time scorer, but it was while playing for the Coastal Soccer Club that he really developed.

"I think playing for Coastal was a big factor in preparing me for this level," he said.

His role has changed from high school where "my job was to score," Shigo said. "Now it's more to manage the game."

While not very vocal, "the guys see how hard he plays," said Reddish. "And in practice, he likes to make things competitive."

"I guess I try to lead by example," said Shigo, "and the way I carry myself in practice. I think that's just as important."

A finance and economics major, Shigo said he had to make the typical adjustment to a faster, more physical game in college. Once he did that, he became a fixture for the Skyhawks.

"He's someone who always wants to be on the field," said Reddish. "He doesn't like it when I take him out, but usually it's just to give him a rest. In key moments, he's always out there. He sets the tone for us in the middle of the field."

Shigo had a goal and three assists as both a freshman and a junior. While he scored his first goal this year on Saturday in a 3-2 win over New Haven, he is more pleased with the team's development. The Skyhawks were 4-10-3 last year and are 7-4-1 this year.

"The team has got great chemistry this year," said Shigo. "In the past we had some problems. This year we don't.

"We all get along well. We're having a good season and we have a lot of winnable games left. We have a chance to do some good things."