Men's Soccer News

Centre 1 - Asbury 1

With one game to go prior to our match-up with Trinity in Texas , it could have been very easy for our guys to not be focused on this game with a quality Asbury team. In addition, with this weekend being fall break, we knew that crowd support wouldn't be what we were used to. With this in mind, the game would turn out to be a bit more difficult then maybe the boys anticipated and quite possibly, overlooked. Asbury is a very well coached team, and without giving them our full attention, the game would become extremely difficult, and it did.

Despite controlling the possession from the kick-off, Centre never really had the mindset to go forward and score. Asbury, and give them credit, was prepared to bunker down and look for the counter. Because of this, all of our play was in front of their defense and we never really got behind them. This mindset would, once again, hurt us and Asbury would go up 1-0 in the 22 nd minute. Unfortunately, it has taken this type of wake-up call to get us going, and this time it did as well. Centre would come out after the goal and really begin to play with a sense of urgency to get things done. To finish the half, Centre would outshoot Asbury 7-3 and finally equalize prior to the half. Junior striker Matt Hoskins ( Lexington , KY ) would notch his 2 nd goal of the season 16 second before the break off an assist from fellow junior striker Brandon Gish ( Owensboro , KY ). And so at the half, the score would be level 1-1.

Like I mentioned to start, this game, without our concerted best effort from the start, would become a battle and this is what we had. The second half would be much of the same, with Centre certainly controlling the game and having some fantastic opportunities, but none of those would find the back of the net. For the half, Centre would again outshoot Asbury 8-2, but with nothing to show for it and so the game would go to extra time. In the overtime, Centre would only register one shot and Asbury was certainly looking to get the tie. It wasn't meant to be however, and the game would end 1-1, for our first tie of the year.

Certainly you have to give credit Asbury; they executed their plan to perfection. Centre just didn't have it tonight, and although cliché, I think this couldn't have come at a better time. It has enabled us to evaluate ourselves and, more importantly, understand what it takes to get things done. Now comes a great test; we travel to San Antonio for a game against Trinity on Friday night. TU will enter the game #1 in the country, and Centre will be #18. Both teams are tied for first in the SCAC. It's the type of game you live for as a player and no doubt it will be a fun game to watch.

On another note, thanks so much to the Rice family for hosting us for our pregame meal prior to the Asbury game. The boys went out the Rice's that afternoon and enjoyed some great food and were able to relax prior to the game. It is certainly nice to have the support that we do!