Men’s soccer falls to Southern Wesleyan in first round of NCCAA regional tournament
Posted by The Skyliner on December 2nd, 2009Paul Conner
Sports Editor
The men’s soccer team was eliminated in the first round of the NCCAA regional tournament with a 3-0 loss to Southern Wesleyan Nov. 20 at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga. The Warriors netted two goals in the first half and added one more in the second half to halt the Crusaders’ postseason run.
North Greenville (9-8-1) tied 1-1 with Southern Wesleyan in the teams’ regular season meeting on Sept. 23. The Crusaders outshot the Warriors 15-9 but could not find the back of the net.
“The intensity was there from our guys, but it was one of those games where the ball just wouldn’t go in the back of the net,” said North Greenville coach Chad Gfeller. “The stuff that has been clicking all season just wasn’t clicking for us, and that was frustrating.”
The Crusaders had several opportunities in front of goal. Juan Carlos Aguilera, senior economics, fired a ball off the crossbar in the third minute.
“They took advantage of their opportunities, and that was the difference,” Gfeller said.
Max Duarte, senior marketing, and Justen Braddock, freshman sport management, were both named to the NCCAA All-Region team, and Aguilera, Snyder and Manuel Izquierdo, senior biology, were each awarded All-Scholar awards. The award was Duarte’s third of his career.
“Max has been great for us all year, and Justen has been impressive as a freshman,” Gfeller said. “He’s worked hard and done a great job.”
The Crusaders finished the regular season with an 8-7-1 record, recording wins over Toccoa Falls, Truett McConnell, Warren Wilson and Brevard, among others. Aguilera, Duarte, Snyder and Izquierdo all played in their final games for North Greenville.
“We’re going to miss all those guys,” Gfeller said. “They’re all keys to the way we’ve played, and I’m not looking forward to replacing them next year.”
Midfielder Thomas McGill, freshman, returned to campus Nov. 23 after being involved in a car accident earlier this month on Interstate 26. McGill spent several days in the hospital.
“Thomas is doing well, and he’s set for a full recovery, thank the Lord,” Gfeller said.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 11