October 11,2005
SPORTSMen’s soccer striving for playoff position
A key to success in sports, and life for that matter, is to always improve on previous ventures.
The MCC men’s soccer team can take solace in knowing that they accomplished one objective this season by already surpassing the 2004 season win total with a month still left to play. Quality offensive play and stellar goalkeeping have factored into six wins to date.
The offense has been plentiful led by Gabe Murillo with five goals. Brian Pottinger, three goals and three assists, and Jake O’Haver, two goals and four assists, have also been major contributors.
The Mesa offensive attack hit its peak on Sept. 7, against South Mountain Community College with an outburst of 10 goals, each coming from a different Thunderbird player.
If you add that with a 2-2 tie with Pima Community College, and a five goals to none win over Glendale Community College, the men’s soccer team netted 17 goals in a one week period.
Not to be outdone, freshman goalkeeper Kyle Hibbard, is making his case for All-Region honors by recording three shut outs and allowing less than two goals on average per game. He also was named the ACCAC and NJCAA “Goalie of the Week,” for the week of Sept. 11-17. Murillo was the ACCAC “Player of the Week” for the previous week of Sept. 4-10.
The final month of the season sees a stretch of nine games in 21 days.
This will play a heavy hand in determining the overall outcome of the team’s season.
With seven games to play, Mesa is currently holding onto fifth place in the ACCAC.
Having already avenged the season opening loss to Arizona Western College on Sept. 28, with a 1-0 win, the Thunderbirds will have a chance to gain more ground in the standings with home games against Pima Community College on Oct. 10, and Chandler-Gilbert Community College on Oct. 15.
The conference playoffs start on Oct. 24, with only the top six teams of the ten-member conference participating.
Volume
43, Issue 4. Today is
