The Taylor men’s Soccer team has lost every game this one except one. They picked up a win against the University of Saint Francis, followed by a loss against Grace College.
The most recent loss on the schedule was to Grace College, to which the Trojans lost 4-0. “We looked tired. Our team is learning to take responsibility for their play and that process is never easy,” said Head Coach Gary Ross. Ross’s intentions for the team are to help them improve each and every game.
The Trojans came into the matchup averaging 11.7 shots on goal per game this season. They were held to 3 shots in the game. Grace College came off to a hot start with a fairly early 1-0 lead into halftime. Grace then went on to score 3 shots in the second half, sealing the deal.
The men’s team is 1-6, and 1-5 in conference play. They are 0-5 at home and 1-1 away.
“We just have to focus on the process and each guy getting better,” Ross said. “We have been building momentum all season and improving in various areas of the game as we have gone about our business”.
The Trojans have six new freshmen, all of whom are playing very strong ball. The adjustment of the new players has been quite a development for the team. Coach Ross believes that the future will be exciting.
The team has, at one point, started five of six freshmen in a game. This high talent has brought high hopes for the future of the soccer team.
The Trojans did pick up a win against St. Francis. The score was 1-0, and the Trojans won in double overtime on a golden goal by freshman Brian Matipa.
“It was good for team morale to finally get a win” said senior Jack McNeil. “We feel like we’ve been playing well, we just haven’t won yet. To finally get us a win, it just gave us more confidence.” McNeil said that there was quite a feeling of relief and an extra amount of excitement.
McNeil wants to win every game in hopes that winning will propel them to do well in the conference tournament.
“We are good, even though our record does not show it. The goal is to ultimately win the tournament and get to nationals."
Senior Cole Guillaume has the same outlook as Jack McNeil for the season.
Guillaume mentioned his desire, much like McNeil to get hot and make a run down the stretch of the season.
“We are going through a whole culture, a new style of play completely,” Guillaume said. “For those first couple games of the season, we have been on the brink of victory on every single one of them. We have been playing super well.” Guillaume says that the style of play has changed a lot since last season.
With COVID-19 hitting the States, the team was not able to practice in the spring.
From spring to now, Guillaume says that “It has been a learning development the past couple of weeks; we have been on the verge of victory the past couple of weeks. To get that win, there is a lot of confidence in the team”.
Guillaume believes any games could go any way. The Trojans have played a mix of easy and hard teams leading up the first win, and past the first win.
Guillaume is a captain of the team, so for him, leading the team to success is a big deal with how rough the season has been. He has also changed positions to the ‘9,’ or forward position. He wants to develop his shot and get some goals.
The Taylor Trojans men’s soccer team has their next game at home against Spring Arbor. It will be on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. The team is poised to win, with a mentality of being better. The passion that these men have to win will set them on track to win this game and many to come. Whether it’d be this game, winning the season or conference or nationals, the Taylor Trojans have the confidence to be the best and beat the best.
