Xavier University Athletics
FEATURE STORY: De Coteau, Widman Return Home for Xavier’s BIG EAST Opener in New York
09.17.25 | Men's Soccer
Returning to their roots, Xavier men's soccer players Jabari De Coteau and Ezra Widman travel home for the opening match of Big East Conference play for the Musketeers against St. John's University.
De Coteau, a junior defender, will step onto the pitch at St. John's Belson Stadium mere miles from Brooklyn, where his soccer journey began. As the Musketeers square off against the Red Storm, De Coteau will have the chance to play in front of friends and family.
"[From the moment of the] flight itself touching down, wherever we are [landing], JFK or LaGuardia, it's all excitement," De Coteau said. "You will know you're back home when you're in the city."
Alongside De Coteau, junior midfielder Widman, who transferred from Syracuse University last spring, will play his first true Big East Conference match. Raised in Manhattan, Widman's deep roots in the New York soccer scene began at an early age. He played for multiple clubs in the area before settling with the New York Red Bulls Academy, where St. John's pitch is the home of his rival club's academy.
"I would always play at St John's, that's where New York City FC Academy [matches are] held," Widman said. "So, I remember having my favorite games there… It's gonna be really nice, coming back as now a Division I athlete and playing that game. It's gonna be great [since] my family hasn't been able to come to a single game since I've been at Xavier."
For De Coteau, this homecoming is more than a return to familiar turf; it's a chance to honor his roots. He enters his third season with Xavier; however, the program has not played at St. John's in his time as a Musketeer. This opportunity brings added emotions.
"I've already reached out to family members…, De Coteau said. "It might be one of the most meaningful games, because… all the people who were really supportive in my development and sacrificed everything for me to be where I am today [will be there]. So, the game generally means a lot to me."
De Coteau's journey was shaped by his parents, immigrants from Grenada, and the Caribbean-rich Brooklyn community that surrounded him. With the love for soccer running in the family, it became a focus for De Coteau.
"Soccer was just always the thing in that household, and it molded my identity," De Coteau said. "Everyone played a role in my upbringing, like my grandparents… keeping me grounded and knowing what I can potentially be in the future."
Widman's path to soccer, though different, was also defined by his family, despite his parents not playing the sport. Widman's father made his son's success a priority by researching the best places for him to compete, seeing his true potential.
"Before Red Bulls, I played for eight different clubs in the city," Widman said. "We were always trying to find what's the best setup, what's the best fit for me, and it's all down to my dad doing the research on it, and I'm super grateful for that."
Before becoming Xavier teammates, the New York soccer scene brought De Coteau and Widman together on multiple occasions. The two first met as youth players in Brooklyn's soccer tournaments, competing on opposing teams.
"The first time we played each other was in a Brooklyn Italians Memorial Day Tournament…," Widman said. "Every year, when you're a U8 to U12, it was the biggest thing you looked forward to, because there were no other really competitive tournaments at the time. I was at multiple different clubs when I was playing in those tournaments…, but I would always remember Jabari [De Coteau]."
The big city felt small in these communities where you would run into familiar faces in the world of club soccer, De Coteau remembers.
"The players that you see on the field, you can draw their attention towards you, through the youth ages, we knew each other because of crossing paths," De Coteau said. "And then as we got older, there will be times where we'll see each other at different fields [playing] pickup."
Widman also remembers watching De Coteau compete in Xavier's historic Big East Championship victory in 2023. This season, De Coteau and Widman carry their friendship onto the field, wearing the same kit as they enter the start of the 2025 Big East Conference play.
"In college soccer, a lot of it is about momentum…," Widman said. "These Big East games, they're so important. And now that the conference has changed, where there are only four teams making the playoffs, every game matters, especially these away games. So, if you can get a win or a result against St John's away, [it] is massive."
The Musketeers and Red Storm will square off on September 19 at 7 p.m. at Belson Stadium. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
De Coteau, a junior defender, will step onto the pitch at St. John's Belson Stadium mere miles from Brooklyn, where his soccer journey began. As the Musketeers square off against the Red Storm, De Coteau will have the chance to play in front of friends and family.
"[From the moment of the] flight itself touching down, wherever we are [landing], JFK or LaGuardia, it's all excitement," De Coteau said. "You will know you're back home when you're in the city."
Alongside De Coteau, junior midfielder Widman, who transferred from Syracuse University last spring, will play his first true Big East Conference match. Raised in Manhattan, Widman's deep roots in the New York soccer scene began at an early age. He played for multiple clubs in the area before settling with the New York Red Bulls Academy, where St. John's pitch is the home of his rival club's academy.
"I would always play at St John's, that's where New York City FC Academy [matches are] held," Widman said. "So, I remember having my favorite games there… It's gonna be really nice, coming back as now a Division I athlete and playing that game. It's gonna be great [since] my family hasn't been able to come to a single game since I've been at Xavier."
For De Coteau, this homecoming is more than a return to familiar turf; it's a chance to honor his roots. He enters his third season with Xavier; however, the program has not played at St. John's in his time as a Musketeer. This opportunity brings added emotions.
"I've already reached out to family members…, De Coteau said. "It might be one of the most meaningful games, because… all the people who were really supportive in my development and sacrificed everything for me to be where I am today [will be there]. So, the game generally means a lot to me."
De Coteau's journey was shaped by his parents, immigrants from Grenada, and the Caribbean-rich Brooklyn community that surrounded him. With the love for soccer running in the family, it became a focus for De Coteau.
"Soccer was just always the thing in that household, and it molded my identity," De Coteau said. "Everyone played a role in my upbringing, like my grandparents… keeping me grounded and knowing what I can potentially be in the future."
Widman's path to soccer, though different, was also defined by his family, despite his parents not playing the sport. Widman's father made his son's success a priority by researching the best places for him to compete, seeing his true potential.
"Before Red Bulls, I played for eight different clubs in the city," Widman said. "We were always trying to find what's the best setup, what's the best fit for me, and it's all down to my dad doing the research on it, and I'm super grateful for that."
Before becoming Xavier teammates, the New York soccer scene brought De Coteau and Widman together on multiple occasions. The two first met as youth players in Brooklyn's soccer tournaments, competing on opposing teams.
"The first time we played each other was in a Brooklyn Italians Memorial Day Tournament…," Widman said. "Every year, when you're a U8 to U12, it was the biggest thing you looked forward to, because there were no other really competitive tournaments at the time. I was at multiple different clubs when I was playing in those tournaments…, but I would always remember Jabari [De Coteau]."
The big city felt small in these communities where you would run into familiar faces in the world of club soccer, De Coteau remembers.
"The players that you see on the field, you can draw their attention towards you, through the youth ages, we knew each other because of crossing paths," De Coteau said. "And then as we got older, there will be times where we'll see each other at different fields [playing] pickup."
Widman also remembers watching De Coteau compete in Xavier's historic Big East Championship victory in 2023. This season, De Coteau and Widman carry their friendship onto the field, wearing the same kit as they enter the start of the 2025 Big East Conference play.
"In college soccer, a lot of it is about momentum…," Widman said. "These Big East games, they're so important. And now that the conference has changed, where there are only four teams making the playoffs, every game matters, especially these away games. So, if you can get a win or a result against St John's away, [it] is massive."
The Musketeers and Red Storm will square off on September 19 at 7 p.m. at Belson Stadium. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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