By Chris Vaccaro
The Pride’s men’s soccer team has been on an emotional roller coaster and is experiencing first hand what it’s like to not know what will happen from one game to the next.
After suffering a disheartening loss to George Mason University (GMU) on Friday night, the Pride had another chance to take a step closer toward clinching a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) playoff spot. Playing No. 15 James Madison University on Sunday at Hofstra Soccer Stadium the Pride forced a 2-1 upset and made clinching seem very possible.
One game separates the first CAA playoff berth for the Pride (7-9-1, 3-4-1) since its entrance to the conference in 2002. Tonight at Drexel University (5-11-0 and 2-6), the Pride must win in order to clinch. Since Drexel defeated GMU (7-10-1, 3-5-0) and Virginia Commonwealth University beat Towson University (8-7-2, 3-5-1), the Pride took possession of sixth place.
Towson, snapping at the Pride’s ankles in seventh, ended its CAA season and GMU, in eighth place plays, one more game coming against James Madison (14-2-1, 6-2 CAA). If George Mason loses and the Pride also losses, GMU can still clinch.
Against the Dukes, it was a must-win situation for the Pride. Knowing the season could end prematurely, the Pride gave a valiant and powerful performance, scoring the first goal just 37 seconds in.
Freshman forward Chris Cox had possession and forced a through-ball to junior forward Michael Todd allowing for a breakaway. Todd shot and was stopped by Dukes goalie Kevin Trapp, who came out to cut off the angle, but a rebound caromed to senior midfielder Pablo Lara. With all this in front of an open net, junior midfielder Jason Gates received a pass from Lara and scored on the one-time attempt making it, 1-0.
Ten minutes later, Trapp exited the game as he collided with Todd, forcing him to sit out. He returned later in the second half and made three saves. Dukes backup Brandon Feather stepped in and played sloppy, taking down Todd in the penalty area at 30:01. Todd capitalized on the penalty kick, which was awarded and put the Pride up 2-0 before the half with his team leading sixth goal. Along with rigid defense to trickle through was the force of nature, which was presented. The weather was also a factor.
“In the first half the wind was fierce,” coach Richard Nuttall said. “We played well under the conditions and stayed tough.”
The Dukes put up numerous scoring chances in the second half. Sophomore Matt Tuddenham sailed a long cross from deep down the right side to the penalty area. Senior midfielder Danny Fulk got a pass past Pride defender and headed the ball off the fingers of outstretched goalie Matthias Gumbrecht inside the left post.
Shortly after, Dukes midfielder Matt Totten found a loose ball at the top of the penalty area and beat Gumbrecht, but Pride junior back Billy Chung slid in from the weak side and headed it out.
Considering the game’s significance, it was a good time for the Pride to break its habit of late-game breakdowns.
“We’ve given passion and determination all season long,” Nuttall said. “This win was well deserved and we’re happy with the results.”
Key players are making the big plays, but bench players have done well in the pressure cooker that the Pride has created late in the season.
“All our players are stepping up. It’s not only the starters but the bench as well now,” Nuttall said.
“It’s an issue of concentration,” sophomore back Gary Flood said. “We’ll make bad fouls, not clear the ball or turn it over.”
The Pride was out-shot, 14-10, yet had an 8-2 advantage in the first half, which was the deciding factor. Gumbrecht made five saves, while Trapp and Feather combined for five as well.
“We’ll have to get up emotionally for this next game and adapt to the conditions at hand for their stadium,” Nuttall said.