Men's soccer bows out of NCAA Division II tournament in Elite 8
By Nathan Davis
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: Sports
After finishing the season by winning eight of nine games to make the playoff, SRU men's soccer team was used to adversity.
After receiving a bid to the NCAA tournament, they upset No. 24 nationally ranked East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania 1-0 in overtime.
But when facing harsh conditions and the No. 7 ranked Millersville University, the Rock could not find the back of the net. The team bowed-out in the Sweet Sixteen, but managed to make school history in the process.
They were the first Rock men's soccer team to reach the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The Green and White's season started as a rollercoaster ride, at one point, and they were in the basement of the PSAC-West Division. Then came the winning streak. It catapulted the Rock into the PSAC playoffs where the Rock lost to California University of Pennsylvania for the third time this season.
Junior co-captain Jeremy Deighton said the season was tremendously successful and is glad to be on a history-making team.
"The beginning of the season was frustrating, but we knew we had it in us. During the win streak the team just started clicking together," Deighton said.
Sophomore Toby Bowser was ecstatic about the way the season ended, even after the team was projected to be in last place.
He said he was surprised how their young team bonded together and ended up understanding each other towards the end of the season.
"I think we proved that we're a respectable team. We beat some tough teams this year and our opponents know they're going to have to watch out for us next year," Bowser said.
Senior Co-Captain Patrick Cormac said they had the growing pains of any young program.
With 14 freshmen joining the team, Cormac said the slow start was a case of settling in and gelling together.
Cormac said he was frustrated at first because of the inconsistencies, but pleased with the end result.
Cormac, Bowser and Deighton all agreed that if they could have one game back, it would be the California game on senior night.
After receiving a bid to the NCAA tournament, they upset No. 24 nationally ranked East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania 1-0 in overtime.
But when facing harsh conditions and the No. 7 ranked Millersville University, the Rock could not find the back of the net. The team bowed-out in the Sweet Sixteen, but managed to make school history in the process.
They were the first Rock men's soccer team to reach the second round of the NCAA tournament.
The Green and White's season started as a rollercoaster ride, at one point, and they were in the basement of the PSAC-West Division. Then came the winning streak. It catapulted the Rock into the PSAC playoffs where the Rock lost to California University of Pennsylvania for the third time this season.
Junior co-captain Jeremy Deighton said the season was tremendously successful and is glad to be on a history-making team.
"The beginning of the season was frustrating, but we knew we had it in us. During the win streak the team just started clicking together," Deighton said.
Sophomore Toby Bowser was ecstatic about the way the season ended, even after the team was projected to be in last place.
He said he was surprised how their young team bonded together and ended up understanding each other towards the end of the season.
"I think we proved that we're a respectable team. We beat some tough teams this year and our opponents know they're going to have to watch out for us next year," Bowser said.
Senior Co-Captain Patrick Cormac said they had the growing pains of any young program.
With 14 freshmen joining the team, Cormac said the slow start was a case of settling in and gelling together.
Cormac said he was frustrated at first because of the inconsistencies, but pleased with the end result.
Cormac, Bowser and Deighton all agreed that if they could have one game back, it would be the California game on senior night.
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John
posted 11/20/08 @ 11:56 PM EST
I would like to congratulate the SRU mens soccer team and the coaching staff for accomplishing so much with so little. SRU competed against many teams in the PSAC and Atlantic region that have more funding, scholarships and budget money. (Continued…)
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