As they left campus Friday afternoon, the CC men’s soccer team was fired up to participate in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2004. The team seemed excited about drawing Babson College in the first round, and liked their chances of winning. The Babson Beavers entered their 5th straight NCAA tournament boasting an impressive 13-3-3 record. The Tigers were also confident after a 13-4-3 season and a home draw against the #1 team in the country at the time, Trinity University.
On Saturday Nov. 10, the Tigers took advantage of their first tournament bid in eight years, rolling past the Babson Beavers 3-1.The following afternoon, however, the Tigers flew home shocked, disappointed, and unsatisfied. In the round of 32 teams, CC drew the impressive University of Scranton team who currently flaunts a 16-2-2 record. For 82 minutes these two teams were in an absolute deadlock. Finally, senior captain Daniel “Frenchy” Wright was able to break the stalemate with a perfect free kick. The Tigers knew they were only eight minutes from a sweet-sixteen appearance. With three minutes remaining, Scranton was awarded a free kick after being tackled in the box; the Royals did not squander the opportunity. In overtime, with all the momentum on their side, the University of Scranton Royals ended the Tigers’ season only 3:18 into additional time.
According to a Colorado College Media Relations press release, the Tigers were awarded heavily for their successful season. Senior forward Matt Fechter was named Offensive player of the Year for the second consecutive season, sharing the award with Southwestern University’s Evan Perkins. Senior Nick Lammers was tabbed Defensive Player of the Year, while Horst Richardson garnered his first Coach of the Year award.
Joining Fechter and Lammers as first-team all-SCAC selections were senior midfielder Kyle Buchwalder, senior goalkeeper Forrest Marowitz and junior midfielder Ben Glass. Senior forward Daniel Wright and junior midfielder Sean Parham were named to the second team, according to the press release.
The current group of Colorado College seniors and leaders will be long-remembered, as they led the Tigers to one of their most successful seasons in recent history.
Alex Woolford
Staff Writer