So this weekend was the Landmark Conference Tournament. We entered as the number 2 seed and played University of Scranton on Saturday at Susquehanna at 11 am. We were the cause of their first and only loss earlier this year when we played them in the season. It is always so much harder to beat a team two times in a row. Anyway I was pleased to get the start and we came out strong and put together some solid chances. Even with a wide open goal, we just could not finish it. We got unlucky. The half ended 0-0 with Scranton getting the better chances late into the half.
Onto the second half, we just couldn't get our style going. Scranton got more chances and eventually scored off the crossbar off of a corner kick. We went down 1-0 with about 20 minutes and then we started freaking out on the field. It took a while for us to settle down and we got a free kick at the top of the box. Ian Smith hit a great shot that went upper ninety and tied up the game with about ten minutes to go. We had momentum and I thought we were going to be able to put in another goal until Scranton had a breakaway and their forward hit a great one-time shot that just got passed Torston with about three minutes left. We battled for the rest of the time, but we just couldn't get anything else. We lost 2-1 and the entire team was stunned. It's weird how fast your season can come to such a fast ending.
We knew we weren't high enough ranked to get a NCAA bid, and since we lost in the conference tourney, we were completely done. The goal for the entire year was to win the conference and get into the NCAA tourney; we did neither..
Although that was a great disappointment for the season, personally I couldn't have asked more for my freshman year. I constantly worked hard to help the team and I got multiple starts, and played consistent minutes in each game. I see freshman, sophomores, and even juniors that struggled with playing time and I am happy that I got the chance to get out on the field. I had a blast playing for my school once again and am glad I got the chance to play. I really enjoyed all the guys on the team and I think this was a great fit for me to come and play at CUA. I had a great time in my first season. Now next year we are only losing one senior. We have a huge returning class, so we are looking ahead. With this years' abrupt ending, I know we will be motivated next year to avenge our losses and work even harder to make the NCAA.
Now it is time to start training for next season. I didn't know what to do without practice yesterday, so I hit the gym hard with my lacrosse bud Zach. We did upper body and it felt great to get back in the weight room. I was actually pleased with my bench and hit 95 X 10, 115 X 10, 125 X 8, and then 115 X 6. Then after lifting a group of 8 guys most from the team came to the Duf and we played indoor soccer, 4 on 4 with trashcans as goals. Even on our first day off, we continued to play soccer. It was fun just to get a few touches on the ball and just have fun with soccer again. I really feel the soreness today, but it is worth it. I will be going back to the gym with our keeper, Cam today for some legs, core, and plyos. Offseason training and body-building has begun.
Now congrats to Michael and CNU mens soccer for making the NCAA tourney. Even with the shocker vs. Greensboro in conference tourney, they received an at-large bid and will be playing this weekend. I look froward to traveling with Mom and Dad to go watch them play. This will be the first game I will get to watch CNU play this year and it will be good to get to watch them again. Best of luck to Michael and the team; I think they could make another deep run!
So here's to the offseason and working for next season,
-TZ
