This past Saturday Nov. 13 in Swarthmore, Penn., the men’s soccer team’s season was brought to a disappointing end. UR faced Medaille College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships and lost 1-0.
Even with four players named to the All-University Athletic Association team (senior defender Misha Carrel-Thomas and senior midfielder Steve Welles were named first team All-UAA, while junior midfielder Max Eberhardt and senior midfielder Jimmy Parrinello were given honorable mentions) the Yellowjackets could not hold back their opponents. Medaille scored early in the seventh minute of the game — freshman goalie Mike Moranz’s only miss of the game. Both teams had four shots on goal, and Moranz made his three remaining saves.
UR pressed hard late in the first half and produced four corner kicks within a few minutes. Overall, the ’Jackets had 10 corner kicks to Medaille’s two. In the final 10 minutes of the game, UR kept up their aggressive attempts for the tying goal. Eberhardt shot from inside the box with eight minutes to go, but it was deflected.
Shortly after, Eberhardt again attempted to score with only two minutes remaining in play by heading sophomore midfielder Jakob Seidlitz’s corner kick, but it was blocked. Despite the teams best efforts, Medaille’s defense and sophomore goalie Nick Kurtz prevented all of their scoring opportunities.
The men’s soccer team finished the season with a record of 10-3-5. Medaille’s record moved to 16-4-2 after the match. This year was the Yellowjackets’ sixth straight showing in the NCAA playoffs, and the third consecutive UAA Championship.
Head coach Chris Apple was disappointed with the men’s loss, but was proud of their determination and effort in the game and throughout the season.
“The result against Medaille was terribly disappointing,” Apple said. “We pressed and pressed to get the equalizer and in the end simply ran out of time. I was extremely proud of the boys for the effort they gave and the way they represented themselves and the university on the night and throughout the season.”
Penney is a member of the class of 2012.
