Men’s club soccer team knocks off Mercer, 3-2

The men’s club soccer team started its 2011 spring season on a positive note with a win over Mercer University Jan. 29. The team reconstructed last year after a few years of absence.

Sophomore pre-athletic training major Elliott Payne took the initiative last semester by holding an open tryout to Georgia College students.

With past experience in playing competitive soccer, Payne established a cohesive group of men ranging from freshman to seniors who compete with top schools.

“I plan on coaching soccer for the rest or my life so it’s nice to get

this experience,” Payne said. “This season I hope to win some big matches.”

In the Bobcat’s 3-2 victory over Mercer, the early semester practicing paid off. Sunny skies and a cool breeze welcomed a crowd of supporters to the middle field at West Campus.

Sophomore striker Derek Jett scored first for the bobcats, followed by a quick Mercer equalizer.

A blast from Sophomore Nathan Pulliam hit the hand of a Mercer player in the box, resulting in a successful penalty kick from sophomore center mid-fielder Joey Deloney. After Georgia College scored an own goal to tie the game at 2-2, the intensity level heightened.

With the game nearing its finish, a timely assist from Jett to senior mid-fielder Jordan Bennett led to the winning goal.

“It was a good tune up game,” junior defender William Strawbridge said. “For our first of this season, we needed a good win.”

The Bobcats have been bearing the cold weather with diligent practices at the West Campus fields. The anticipated new yellow practice pennies arrived last week providing an excited anticipation amongst the team. Payne instructs conditioning regiments and ball handling drills.

Always vocal and attentive to his team, giving constructive criticism and apt directions, makes practice a full work out from start to finish. The team wants the Georgia College population to know that they are a serious and competitive entity. The talent level is deep, and the attitude is right. Last season’s close battles with Georgia Tech and University of Georgia and triumphs over Kennesaw State University, Georgia Southern and Armstrong Atlantic, are encouraging for the continuance of another good season.

“This season I hope to win some big matches. It would be nice to beat the teams that beat us last season,” Payne said. “We are constantly getting better and growing as a team, so we should be able to beat any and everybody.”

The Bobcats return to action Feb. 5 at Macon State and the next weekend, looking for a repeat victory against Kennesaw State.

Posted by Taylor Lamb on Feb 3 2011. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.