The men’s soccer team went out with a bang Saturday, losing 2-1 in overtime to the defending national champions, Messiah College. The loss ended an impressive 2005 season for the Cardinals that included a NESCAC title with big wins at Bowdoin and Williams and an NCAA Division III playoff victory.
Matt Nevin ’09, who has made a habit of silencing opposing crowds, managed to do so yet again when he flicked the ball over a defender, ran onto it, and slid the ball by goaltender Dustin Shambach for the 1-0 lead in the second half.
But Messiah, perhaps the best team in Division III, came back hard in front of its stunned home crowd of over two thousand. Messiah pushed the attack with excellent ball movement and superior speed. With relentless pressure on the Cardinals’ defense, goalie Matt Gnall ’08 was forced to come up with five saves in the second half, but his efforts were not enough to keep left winger Ryan Edwards out of the net, as Edwards broke three tackles and got the equalizing goal.
That Wesleyan managed to take any kind of a lead on Messiah was something of a victory. Messiah had gone the entire season, until that nine minute fifty-five second stretch, without ever trailing.
Even as Messiah continued to press the attack through the end of regulation, Wesleyan managed a few good chances off set pieces by Julian Canzoneri ’07.
The defense played with the same fervor and tenaciousness they have all year. The back four (Justin Mello ’08, David Baharestani ’07, Ross Pemmerl ’08, Jared Ashe ’07) continually challenged the fastest and most coordinated attack they have seen all season. Mello came out after the first half with an injured knee and did not return. Chris Keeler ’07 replaced him.
“The back four was great,” Ashe said. “Dave [Baharestani] was so solid and [Justin] Mello and [Ross] Pemmerl had great first half. It hurt having Mello out for the game. [Chris] Keeler did a great job off the bench, though, and Pemmerl gave whatever he had left after his ankle injury as well.”
In the end, though, Messiah proved they yet again could be national championship material, as they scored in overtime off a cross that went from the end line to Dan Wagner, who settled the ball and fired it into the net from ten yards out.
Wesleyan’s season may have ended with Wagner’s score, but the success of this group of players will certainly be remembered for many years to come.
While this was a breakout season for many of the younger players, credit for the NESCAC championship and the playoff run goes to the leaders of the team, Co-Captains Noah Isaacs ’06 and Kevin Lohela ’06. Their solid play and leadership skills brought together a Cardinal squad that has always been talented but not always on the same page. This year, they truly played as a team, evidenced by the multitude of goal scorers and the way they stood up for one another on the field.
“Losing in the second round was bittersweet,” Lohela said. “We worked so hard and put so much into this season, and none of us wanted it to end. What carried us through the postseason was our belief in each other and ourselves. We all truly believed we were going to beat Bowdoin, Williams, Amherst, and Muhlenberg – and we did.”
The Cards carried that same mentality into the Messiah game, and it showed on the field. They tackled hard, played without fear, and scored the first goal Messiah has given up in the NCAA tournament in nine games, dating back to that team’s 2003’s championship run.
In addition to the team’s success, several individuals were rewarded for their efforts. Nevin, who led the team in scoring with nine goals and five assists, including his tally at Messiah, took home NESCAC rookie of the year honors. Jared Ashe, who made the switch from forward to defender partway through the season, made second team All-Conference as a defender. Finally, after taking his team to its first-ever NESCAC championship, Head Coach Geoffrey Wheeler earned the Coach of the Year award.
“It was an unbelievable season, and after investing so much it hurts to finally lose, but after establishing a precedent for the level of this program I think everyone is excited for what next fall will bring,” said Josh Stephens ’07.
Next season could turn out even better for the Cards who, while losing valuable leadership in their two captains, retain the rest of their starting lineup and a deep bench.
“They [Messiah] were a great opponent and it was an amazing game, under the lights, in front of an unbelievable stadium crowd,” Lohela said. “As a senior, I couldn’t ask for more. Winning the NESCAC with this group of guys is something I will remember for the rest of my life.”
“I just have to say that this team had more heart than any team in the nation,” said Peter Glidden ’07. “I’m real proud to play with a bunch of great guys even though it was a tough loss on Saturday. We left the field with heads held high. We gave the number one team in the nation a run for their money and we have nothing to regret. The season was fun time and dope rhymes!”
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