Photo by Ed Habershaw
The men’s soccer team shutout Nichols College yesterday afternoon to cap off an undefeated season. This marks their 10th shutout of the season, and boosts them to a 6-0-2 conference record that ties them for first with Endicott College.
The Salve Regina Men’s Soccer team has played more minutes of the game than any other team this year thanks to 5 different games spilling into extra time-with 4 of those even going into double OT. The team has also played some of the best soccer of their lives this season, made evident by their astounding 15-0-3 overall record (which by the way is the best in program history).
Statistically the boys are playing the best Salve soccer since 2012, so it came as no surprise when the Seahawks earned a #17 national ranking earlier this month.
The boys began their quest for conference domination with a 7-0 start; the longest win streak since they went 8-0 in 2012. That streak was tested when they played their toughest conference rival Endicott College. Despite being out-shot 12-5 in the double overtime match, Salve managed to end the game in a draw.
Later they fought in an exciting overtime victory against Western New England University on Fall Festival Weekend with back and forth goals until the 93rd minute when Nolan Marino scored his first goal of the season for the last second win.
The season never lacked in thrill, as the very next game would be another double overtime contest. The Seahawks trailed for the first time all season against Johnson and Wales, and what began to look like their first loss quickly changed direction when Junior Donald Igo scored twice in the final 15 minutes (the tying goal on a header) to force OT. Despite controlling the ball for most of the match, the game ended in a 3-3 draw. They went on to win 5 games straight including a double OT win against Wentworth.
This season has been a success for the team both on and off the field. The year is a far cry from their 2016 season just two years ago when they only won a single conference matchup. They were also given the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for last year’s season recognizing the team’s excellence in the classroom.
Luckily for the Seahawks, their first playoff game will be against Nichols on Saturday the 27th at home, and if their previous meeting is any indicator, we will see the Seahawks well into the post season.
