09-16-2003, 09:54 AM
Men split at Stetson
By Chris Willig
SPORTS REPORTER
September 15, 2003
The men's soccer team played in the Stetson Classic this weekend in Deland, Fla. The tournament, which began on Friday, had the Falcons match up against two Florida teams in three days.
The Falcons took on what could prove to be one of their toughest opponents of the season Friday when they faced Central Florida. The Falcons played extremely tough in a physical first half and both teams found themselves scoreless after the first half of play.
The second half for the Falcons, however, was not quite as successful. The Falcons gave up their first goal of the season with 60:51 on the clock. The goal, which came off of a deflection, left the Falcons trailing for the first time all season. The goal also came when the Falcons were short a player. BG defenseman Matt Martinka was ejected from the game after receiving a red card in the second half. With all that going against them, the Falcons were unable to mount a comeback and dropped their first game of the season 1-0.
"Central Florida is a very good team; they are probably the toughest team we faced all year," said Falcons coach Mel Mahler.
"We came out a little too aggressive in the first half but our team proved that we could bend but not break. But considering the situation, playing shorthanded in the second half, and giving up a goal off a deflection, I think the game was somewhat of a moral victory."
The Falcons did not crumble after dropping their first game of the year, and came back in a big way. They bounced back on Sunday when they faced tournament host Stetson. Kyle Adkins scored his first goal of the season in the first half and was followed by goals by both Paul Seip and Omari Aldridge.
The Falcons' defense also pitched in big in the victory, once again giving up just one goal off a deflection, and when all was said and done the Falcons defeated Stetson 3-1.
"To come out on Sunday and win showed great character as a team. To go into a hostile environment and only give up a soft goal, which was countered by a third goal, showed a lot of maturity," said Mahler. "It was a very worthy trip, anytime you can go on the road and handle all the traveling, the heat, and the tough opponents it shows that we can really handle diversity."
Following last weekend's tournament, the Falcons' road trip is far from over. The 2-1-1 Falcons head back on the road this weekend and travel to Las Vegas to play in the UNLV Classic on Friday and Sunday.
By Chris Willig
SPORTS REPORTER
September 15, 2003
The men's soccer team played in the Stetson Classic this weekend in Deland, Fla. The tournament, which began on Friday, had the Falcons match up against two Florida teams in three days.
The Falcons took on what could prove to be one of their toughest opponents of the season Friday when they faced Central Florida. The Falcons played extremely tough in a physical first half and both teams found themselves scoreless after the first half of play.
The second half for the Falcons, however, was not quite as successful. The Falcons gave up their first goal of the season with 60:51 on the clock. The goal, which came off of a deflection, left the Falcons trailing for the first time all season. The goal also came when the Falcons were short a player. BG defenseman Matt Martinka was ejected from the game after receiving a red card in the second half. With all that going against them, the Falcons were unable to mount a comeback and dropped their first game of the season 1-0.
"Central Florida is a very good team; they are probably the toughest team we faced all year," said Falcons coach Mel Mahler.
"We came out a little too aggressive in the first half but our team proved that we could bend but not break. But considering the situation, playing shorthanded in the second half, and giving up a goal off a deflection, I think the game was somewhat of a moral victory."
The Falcons did not crumble after dropping their first game of the year, and came back in a big way. They bounced back on Sunday when they faced tournament host Stetson. Kyle Adkins scored his first goal of the season in the first half and was followed by goals by both Paul Seip and Omari Aldridge.
The Falcons' defense also pitched in big in the victory, once again giving up just one goal off a deflection, and when all was said and done the Falcons defeated Stetson 3-1.
"To come out on Sunday and win showed great character as a team. To go into a hostile environment and only give up a soft goal, which was countered by a third goal, showed a lot of maturity," said Mahler. "It was a very worthy trip, anytime you can go on the road and handle all the traveling, the heat, and the tough opponents it shows that we can really handle diversity."
Following last weekend's tournament, the Falcons' road trip is far from over. The 2-1-1 Falcons head back on the road this weekend and travel to Las Vegas to play in the UNLV Classic on Friday and Sunday.
