Photo contributed by Rob Rossi
Scott Hansen
Despite a 2-11 record (0-5 in conference play) the ENC men’s soccer team still has hopes of earning a spot in the conference tournament.
“Since day one, our goal has been to be one of the final four conference teams standing at the end of the season,” Coach Dan Visser said. “We have [four] conference games left to play and our goal is still very much attainable.”
The men earned their second victory of the season, 2-0, over Mitchell on Oct. 9.
“It felt great to get a win against Mitchell,” Coach Visser said. “We’ve been working hard since the middle of August, but haven’t gotten to enjoy the fruit of our labor very often this season. It was fun to see the guys experience that on Wednesday.”
Sophomore captain Will Campbell (Anchorage, Alaska) was pleased with the team’s hard work in practice prior to the game.
“We played well the first half of the game and played exactly how we practiced the day before. The intensity level from the practice to the game was still the same,” Campbell said.
Campbell could be out for the remainder of the season because of an ankle injury.
“I am doing physical therapy now with the goal of trying to play a few games before the season ends,” Campbell said. “In the meantime, I am there morally to keep the players in the game.”
The Lions suffered another setback in their next match, when they lost 2-1 to the University of New England on Oct. 12.
UNE scored two early goals to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. ENC finally scored in the 88th minute, when senior Pacifique Jabiro (Portland, Maine) notched his first goal of the season off an assist from freshman Jacob Mason (Southport, England).
Despite the losing record, junior captain Jared Corbin (Fallston, Md.) remains positive for the future program of the team.
“We are not winning the season right now, but we are starting the program off on a good foot. We are moving towards positive things in the future and that is very encouraging,” Corbin said.
Coach Visser said the team’s mindset “is the same as it has been since the beginning of the season: Our identity and purpose is wrapped up in being the best at getting better.”
The Lions will take on Western New England during homecoming on Oct. 19. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium.