Steve Nafziger | Echo
Win or go home. That was the reality and mentality for the Taylor men's soccer team as they looked toward their game with Goshen last Saturday night. If they pulled off a win, they would claim a spot in the Crossroads League tournament; if they lost, their season would be over.
They battled for a 1-0 shutout victory that punched their ticket to the tournament.
"We have never stopped believing and our guys simply stick with each other and fight hard," said head coach Gary Ross. "I am proud of them."
Taylor's lone goal came in the 71st minute off a corner kick from sophomore Caleb Bouchier as his cross found junior Tim Miller, who was able to redirect the ball past the Goshen keeper. The goal was Miller's seventh of the season and he leads the team in points with 15 (seven goals and one assist). Bouchier recorded his third assist of the season with the corner.
The Trojan defense was on fire, holding the Maple Leafs scoreless and not allowing a shot on goal the entire game. The Trojans recorded four shots and also attempted 10 corners compared to Goshen's three.
Sophomore goalkeeper Michael Williams earned his second shutout of the season and was named the Crossroads League Defensive Player of the Week. Williams' dominant goalkeeping has played an integral role for Taylor down the stretch, helping the team claim the No. 7 seed in the tournament.
"I was excited to hear about receiving the award," Williams said. "The defense has played great these past few weeks and I think this is a reflection of the overall play of the back four."
Taylor (4-10-3) will travel to Saint Francis (13-4-1) to take on the No. 2-seeded Cougars in the opening round of the tournament. The Trojans got the best of Saint Francis in their only matchup of the season in early October, winning 3-1. The men have hit their stride at the right time as they are 3-1-1 in their last five contests.
"We have stayed unified amidst all we've been through this year," Miller said. "Now that the victories are coming, I think there's even more belief that we can achieve our goal of winning the conference tournament and advancing to the final 16 of the national tournament."
Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. The winner of this game will take on the winner of the No. 3 Spring Arbor (10-7-1) and No. 6 Grace (7-7-1) match.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
