Scots soccer team loses to DuPage following successful playoff run
Elizabeth Weber
Issue date: 11/10/05 Section: Sports
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The TARTAN
The McHenry County College Fighting Scots soccer team had an upsetting lost to the College of DuPage on Saturday, October 29. MCC was successful against all of their opponents in the playoffs prior to their loss. The Scots even managed a win over the No.1 seeded team in the region.
When MCC first entered the playoffs, they knew that they would at least get a bye in the first round. Whatever happened from then on out would depend on how determined the players were and how much they really wanted to win. The next couple of games would prove just that.
It is no secret that teamwork has been the team's biggest key to success. When it comes down to it, everybody playing makes a contribution. Head coach Karl Smith notes that all the players put forth the effort, saying, "When we are on the field, all 11 guys playing work together to get it done."
That exact effort gave the team arguably the most significant win in the college's program against No. 1 seed South Suburban Community College. After being down 3-1 in the first half, MCC displayed determination to the highest level and came back to beat the best team in the playoffs with a final score of 4-3. The fact that key players Charlie Latshaw and Brad Fiage were out with injury made the win even more significant.
After a 3-0 record the first three games of the postseason, also beating College of Lake County and Moraine Valley along the way, MCC's impressive streak finally came to end against the College of DuPage. Although the team had one of the best seasons in recent years, their hopes of making it to the NJCAA Championship in Texas fell a few games short.
Even with the upsetting lost, MCC still has all the talent together to pull another successful season next year. Many of next year's returning players have proven themselves as players and as a team. Says Smith of his inexperienced players that picked up as the season went on, "When they came up from high school they went from boys' soccer to men's' soccer. We told them they had to prove themselves to be considered men. The last eight weeks they played like veterans, making them men."
Look out next season!