Courtesy of senior forward Dominick Bachstein, Drexel soccer found its spark at the perfect time

Dominick Bachstein’s phone lit up with a notification from his brother.

He was in class, but awe and elation took his mind far away when he learned that after accounting for seven goals in two games for the Drexel men’s soccer team earlier this month, he was named the national player of the week by Top Drawer Soccer.

Bachstein had three goals and four assists, part of a 10-goal outburst from the Dragons, who beat Maryland-Baltimore County and Hofstra, the latter a top-10 team nationally, according to Top Drawer’s rankings.

Bachstein has been a revelation for the Dragons. With nine goals and five assists through 10 games, the Malvern native and Conestoga High School alumnus has scored or assisted on 64% of Drexel’s goals and ranks No. 8 nationally in goals per game.

Dragons coach David Castellanos labeled Bachstein’s season “special” so far, and lauded the fifth-year forward’s efforts — on and off the pitch.

“His hard work ethic and his passion have made him successful this season,” Castellanos said. “He knows this is his final year in college soccer, and he wants to leave a massive mark not only on college soccer but at Drexel University.”

Bachstein’s college career began at La Salle, where he spent two seasons. Prompted by a coaching change and the desire for a different college experience, Bachstein hit the transfer portal.

“Drexel came by, and I spoke to them, and it was almost like a dream come true,” Bachstein said. “I’m in the city, and it’s a bigger school that had familiar faces from my high school with Michael McCarthy and [now-Union midfielder] Chris Donovan. Since arriving at Drexel, it’s just been blessings.”

Bachstein has been a source of stability for an otherwise chaotic program. Castellanos is the Dragons’ third coach in three seasons, and Bachstein discussed the leadership role he has taken as an elder statesman of a team searching for continuity.

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“Having three coaches in three years is obviously a little harder, but I got to experience that [after] having two coaches in two years [at La Salle], so now I can say in five years I’ve had five different head coaches,” Bachstein said jokingly. “When [former Drexel coaches Michael] Marchiano and [Mark] Fetrow decided to leave the program, and now we’re getting a new coach, that can somewhat rattle the guys.

“Getting everyone involved and saying, ‘It’s going to be fine. We still have amazing talent; we have great players. Drexel is [going to] find us an amazing head coach to work with.’ ... Having coaches change always hurts, but I think if everyone just stays involved, it’s not that bad.”

For Bachstein, the most recent coaching change was not a transition but instead a reunion.

“I’ve known Coach Castellanos since I was a little boy,” Bachstein said. “He was my first-ever academy coach at [Conshohocken-based youth soccer powerhouse] FC Delco. Now to have him as a head coach is just unbelievable.”

Castellanos fondly recalls coaching Bachstein at FC Delco.

“It was a wonderful time, as we had a very good Delco side,” he said. “Dom was a key player for that Delco team. Watching Dom grow over the years has been great. Not every season was rainbows and butterflies, but it makes moments like this that much sweeter.”

Now in fourth place in the Coastal Athletic Association, Drexel (7-4, 3-2) has enjoyed a strong season, and, in Bachstein’s estimation, the Dragons have yet to reach their final form.

“We haven’t reached our peak yet, which I think is something different from what we had last year,” Bachstein said. “Last year, we reached our peak almost in the middle of our season. And you could kind of just feel the decline a little bit every single day. With this group, just because we have so many talented kids, we keep improving every single week. It’s really so much fun. ... Everyone’s confidence is very high.”

Despite the national recognition, Bachstein’s focus remains on the team’s lofty goals as he sprints toward the conclusion of his collegiate career.

“Individual awards are always amazing to have, and it shows that a person’s having a great season, but I think team awards are really what we’re going for,” he said. “Winning the CAA, hosting the CAA playoffs at home, and, hopefully, making an NCAA Tournament is something that’s truly what we’re going for.”

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