On Friday, Sept. 13, the Union University men’s soccer team hosted the Missouri University of Science and Technology and won 1-0.
This was Union’s third win of the season, and they have only lost once. Union has played in two preseason games, and this game marks their fourth regular-season game (3-1-0).
Jamie Chamberlain, a senior sports management major from Kent, England, spoke about his feelings for this season.
“I feel pretty confident about this season. I said the same about last season too, but this season feels different,” Chamberlain said.
According to Chamberlain, the team has already won more games so far this season than they have throughout the entire season last year. When asked about what makes the team so strong on the field, teamwork came to his mind.
“Our players were not really settled last season, but now everyone understands their role and what is expected from them,” Chamberlain said.
While the teams played competitively throughout the game, it seemed more difficult for them to play as the rain got heavier in the second half. The players’ uniforms became drenched, and they began slipping on the soaked grass.
Diego Medina, a sophomore business administration major, talked about the field conditions, mentioning that he felt nervous about the rain.
“If it rained too hard, we might not have been able to play,” Medina said.
Despite the harsh, rainy conditions, both teams managed to play competitively. Each team shot 10 times and had four shots on goal. Neither team scored during the first half, but Medina, who was substituted in the game during the second half, scored a goal 63 minutes into the game. He was assisted by Kobi Moseley, a senior commercial music major, and Wesley Mhlanga, a junior finance major.
Medina’s goal marked his third goal for the season. After today’s game, Medina feels confident that the team can make it to nationals. Medina claimed that they have matched this season’s record for wins with last season’s, and they are only four games into this new season.
Despite the bad weather and the team placing 12th in the preseason conference rankings, the Bulldogs feel pretty confident about this season and believe it looks promising.
