Pirates Soccer: Pirates Finish Second

After holding the #1 team in the country scoreless in the first weekend of November, the Pirates were in for another test on the road at SCAC rivals Depauw and Centre this past weekend to close out the 2008 campaign.

The Pirates arrived in Indiana on Thursday afternoon to some cold midwest weather. On Friday morning the Pirates headed to Boswell field to knock the ball around and get the kinks out of the legs from the plane trip.

Friday evening was a beautiful night with the sun going below the horizon as well as the temperature dipping with some strong winds blowing across the field. The Pirates came out on the attack and senior Preston Hollis took a through ball from sophomore Alex Keller on the right edge of the 18 yard box. Hollis took a touch and struck the ball on the floor that slammed against the far post and caromed into the net. The Pirates would sit on Hollis's goal at the 27th minute that would prove the eventual game winner.

The second half saw the Pirates never really gain control of the match but found some chances on net but were just not able to capitilize. The Tigers threw a lot of attackers forward to try and equalize on senior night but the the Pirates fought off the cold and the Tigers to hold on for another 3 points in the SCAC. GK Ryan Tasin recorded his fourth shut out of the 2008 season.

The Pirates then made the 5 hour bus trip to Danville, KY on Saturday morning. With an cold chilly morning the Pirates got off to a slow start and with a controversial call in the first four minutes the Colonels were spotted a 1-0 lead. A Centre forward slammed a ball towards goal from about the six that ricocheted off the crossbar that bounced directly down on the goal line. The assistant referee made the decision to raise his flag and indicate the whole ball crossed the line and was a goal. The entire first half the Pirates just could not find any rhythm and chased the ball and the game. Passes were just too far or short and the ball just seemed to be getting away from the Pirates. Late in the second half, the Colonels scored off a long throw in. The ball was thrown deep in the box and Centre was able to skim it on to the back post to make it 2-0. Even with the lack of rhythm the Pirates had several chances from Davi Lozano, Preston Hollis and Josh Spencer but again the ball sailed wide, over or just did not connect.

The second half the Pirates made a vailant effort and got 9 chances on frame. Josh Spencer brought the Pirates to within strikig distance as he finished a toe poke chance to the far post on a one vs. one with the keeper from a helper by Lozano. The Pirates threw numbers forward but each chance was just thwarted by the Colonels. Goalkeeper Ryan Tasin made 7 incredible saves to keep the Pirates in it but it ended 2-1.

This finished the careers of seniors, Kevin O'Neil, Kevin Jordan, Preston Hollis, Ryan Tasin, Suresh Thomas, Philip Stehling and Winston Pool. Thank you seniors for all your effort! Congrats on another tremendous season.

The Pirates finished 7-3 in SCAC play and in a tie for second place with Centre College in the conference standings. This is the third year in a row the Pirates have finished in second place. In the past six years, the Pirates have finished in the top 3 in the SCAC.

Thanks Seniors!!