Tie score in final game ends season for men’s soccer.
After suffering back-to-back shutouts to rival Rollins College and the University of Montevallo on Oct. 23 and Oct. 26, Palm Beach Atlantic University’s men’s soccer team knew it had to bounce back in order to qualify for regionals.
“The game against Rollins was a tale of two halves,” junior defenseman Branden Langenberg said. “The teams were pretty even going into half-time with Rollins leading 1-0.”
From a few mistakes on the Sailfish’s side, Rollins increased their lead, ultimately winning 5-0.
After the game, the Sailfish were not satisfied, knowing that they were a much better team than the one that showed up.
“It was simply a lapse in concentration of the game,” junior midfielder Mpumelelo Matutu said. “They finished their chances and we didn’t.”
Langenberg and the team were able to push the defeat past them at their next home game, where they defeated the University of Tampa 3-1 on Oct. 28.
“We knew that those games were behind us, and we had to go out and compete the way we know how to,” Langenberg said.
Seniors are honored on Nov. 9 during half-time against Lee University, the Sailfish’s final home game of the season. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.
The Sailfish followed the win against Tampa with wins in Tennessee against Christian Brothers University (5-2) and Union University (5-0).
The Sailfish headed to their home finale on Nov. 9 against Lee University, needing to win in order to qualify for regionals.
Although the game ended in a 2-2 tie, which ended the season, Head Coach Jose Gomez was proud of the way the team competed.
“We had more players compete at a high level than we ever had,” Gomez said. “We had a tremendous season with some big wins against Tampa and Barry. I am thrilled with what the team accomplished on the field.”
Already planning for next season, Gomez has started to heavily recruit and identify several quality players that would fit well at PBA.
Anticipating a very solid, well- balanced team in 2014, Gomez expects the upperclassmen to develop a culture that strives for excellence.
One of the tasks will include having to replace nine graduating seniors from this season.
Gomez says the standard will require all returning players to pour into the new students and invest in the lives of their team- mates.
“Overall, I am happy to see us achieve some team goals as well as some players accomplishing individual milestones,” Gomez said. “I look forward to revamping our roster for 2014 and continue to watch the Lord work in young men’s hearts.”
VICTORIA VARTAN 