The men’s soccer team had an outstanding three-game winning streak these past two weeks. They shutout West Florida University, West Alabama University and defeated Florida Southern College.
Despite the inclement downpour on Sept. 19, the Spartans’ defense kept the West Florida Argonauts from scoring while they managed to connect two goals in the first half by junior Chris Cambell in the eighteenth minute and by freshman Monty Berrow in the forty-first minute, bringing the final score of 2-0.
Freshman goalkeeper Zak Downes aided the team in their success with seven saves. The men then took their motivation with them on the field to their next game on Sept. 21 as they defeated West Alabama 2-0, giving Head Coach Adrian Bush his hundredth career victory at the university. “I don’t share this award alone, it is shared with the hardworking staff and players and as our hundredth win, it’s great, but now we need to focus on our next win,” Bush said.
The men’s team did succeed in winning their next game when they defeated Florida Southern College this past Wednesday, September 24. Freshman Bay Downing put the Spartans on the scoreboard scoring the first goal of the game and his first of the season in the twenty-first minute, assisted by seniors Andrew Clare and Craig Laird.
As Florida Southern brought the score to 1-1 in the thirty-fifth minute, Tampa retaliated as Campbell scored in the beginning of the second half and freshman, Monty Berrow, finished off with a penalty kick in the seventy-first minute, giving the Spartans a 3-1 lead and ultimate sweep against another opponent.
The win was a great achievement for the team. The Spartans lost to Florida Southern by giving up a penalty kick and two red cards, stirring up a shaky stage of undisciplined games to come after that. “Our biggest focus since Sunday heading into the same opponent from this time last year was discipline. If they can stay disciplined, they can do some dynamite things,” Bush said.
Senior Kevin Knowles agreed they came in more prepared this season than last.
“We knew that they were strong coming from the flanks and their best two offensive players were the fast guys outwide.
We focused on overloading the sides so they would have a tough time coming down. We made it difficult for them so we could play our game, create chances and score,” Knowles said.
In their game against Florida Southern, the Spartans played the most efficient game of their season so far and maintained a consistent performance to help guide their success.
“We haven’t just been winning, we’ve been playing efficiently because we’ve been playing as a team,” said senior Craig Laird. If you can’t conceive you can’t lose and we are buzzed about what we have achieved together.” The chemistry and overall depth of the team has been key as they have worked well together in their last few games. With six new starters, Knowles described the freshmen “as the best group they’ve had yet.”
Bush added that this year’s roster is “the deepest team I’ve had in my nine years of coaching. Everyone on this team can play and we have a very good vibe with the group, it is all bought into group success and playing for each other. We’re doing great but we have a long way to go, if we can continue to grow each game, were a team that’s going to be there in the end.”
As the Spartans prepare to take on Lynn College in Boca Raton on Sept. 27, they are pumped with the current success they have had, and will be using that motivation to guide the future of their season. “I feel great to have won these last two games against regional opponents. The coaches have prepared us physically and mentally so that it carries over onto the field. All we can do is give it our best,” Clare said.
Regina Gonzalez can be reached at regina.gonzalez2@spartans.ut.edu