The men’s soccer team played their final game of the season on Wednesday, Nov. 3 against SUNY Oswego. The teams faced off on the South Turf Field and the Hawks gave it their all.
Many shots were attempted by the Hawks in the first half, but unfortunately none scored. The Hawks put the time and effort into preparing for this game, but they found difficulty securing the win.
The match was a tough one, and the boys found themselves having to put in their all to stay even. They have been putting in extra work during practices and were hoping to secure this win.
“To prepare for games, we always keep ourselves in a mindset as though we’re going to win each and every game. Having extreme confidence in ourselves no matter who we’re playing and believing we can be successful is what drives us to do our best every time we step out onto the field,” fourth-year midfielder James Maltes stated. “It feels bittersweet because our team accomplished something great this year by being consistently nationally ranked through the regular season, but we know we could’ve accomplished so much more.”
No goals were scored until minute 49 when Oswego scored the only goal of the game.
The Hawks fell short of Oswego with a final score of 1-0. Goals were attempted by third-year midfielder Phillip Varner. Great effort was shown from all players and each was saddened by the season ending.
The team has had great matches this season, and secured many wins, especially while playing on their home field. “I think the strongest match we played was our game against King’s College,” Maltes said. “In that match, we really showed how playing our game and showcasing who we are can amount to great wins.”
As the season comes to an end, the Hawks have won 12 out of their 17 matches. They are looking forward to another successful season next year.
“I’m looking forward to watching what this team and program will accomplish in the future. It’s been a great pleasure to be a part of the development of a team that’s set the standard higher than any team to come before it,” Maltes stated. “And, seeing the talent that’s been showcased throughout this season, I know that the future is bright for this program.”
The Hawks are eagerly preparing for next season. They’re ready to secure a win again and show their skills.
“The team is preparing by using this last loss to fuel and drive the next season, while looking at the positives that they can take away in order to figure out what works best for the team to continue to improve,” said Maltes.
Many players on the team are seniors and this loss was the last game they had the opportunity to play on this team. They’re fortunate to have had the chance to play a regular season this year, which wasn’t a reality for players last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Hawks look forward to getting back on the field and being prepared for any competition thrown their way. “What we’ve started here is definitely a great indication of years to come,” Maltes said.
Come support the Hawks next season as they return ready to compete, and to win.
