In sports, there is nothing quite like overtime. It is difficult for players to summon up the strength to play those few extra minutes after a lengthy, grueling regulation period. However, this is the type of situation that players play for.
Overtime represents a new beginning. Last Wednesday, The University of Tampa men’s soccer team (7-4-1) once again fought a tough battle with Rollins College (7-3-2), this time with the game ending in overtime.
Unfortunately for the Spartans, the team lost this time around. Sophomore Andrew Clare scored the Spartan’s lone goal of the game first, while Rollins scored in the 65th minute then later in overtime.
“Rollins loss was hard on us,” Coach Adrian Bush said. “But the guys played exactly how we asked them to.”
The loss to Rollins marks the Spartans’ fourth loss this season and the fourth loss at the hands of a Sunshine State Conference (SSC) opponent.
“There are 12 games in this conference and every game is quality,” Coach Bush stated. “The conference has the best opponents you’ll find and the best competition day in and day out.”
Despite the recent loss and the four conference losses, the team has managed to remain in the upper-half of the conference standings. As of October 15, UT is currently the third ranked team in the SSC. In the midst of the three-game losing-streak the Spartans experienced in the middle of the season, the team managed to maintain its reputability on the national level. Before the loss the Rollins, the team was ranked No. 22 overall.
The main storyline of the 2012 season has predominantly related to the Spartans’ young players stepping up and exceeding expectations. As with any young team, there are bound to be streaks of inconsistency as well as signs of potential greatness.
“I am very pleased with how team is playing,” Coach Bush commented on his teams’ play this season. “We always want to win but we want to play quality soccer as well. This team has grown so much within the last month.”
One of the most important things that Coach Bush stresses is for his players to constantly be improving themselves and working together as a team. When the team was on a losing streak, it was important for the players to remain focused and understand that the season was far from over. Due to the players’ commitment to improvement and Coach Bush’s leadership, the team was able to go on a three game win streak.
“It has been a collective effort,” Coach Bush said of his team’s development this season. “One of biggest factors is our commitment to defending.”
With the conference tournament just a few weeks away, it is time for the team to be playing to its best abilities on a consistent basis. Young players such as Freshman Naysir Rodriguez are taking the necessary steps to make sure they are ready for the latter part of the season, especially the postseason.
“Our biggest thing is our mental game,” Rodriguez said. “Every day it means coming out and putting in hard work.”
As this season has progressed it has become certain that the future of the men’s soccer program is bright. However, the 2012 season is not over. The chance to win in the postseason is what every player works his hardest for. The Spartans seem ready and able to finish out the regular season strong, which will only help them in their path to postseason glory.
The men’s soccer team’s next game is away against Florida Southern on Oct. 20.
J.P. Haney can be reached at johnpatrick.haney@spartans.ut.edu.