The Wesleyan men’s soccer team closed out its season this weekend, exiting the NESCAC tournament and finishing the year with an overall record of 5-8-2 and with a division record of 3-5-2. Amherst defeated them with a score of 2-0.
The Cards, who entered the tourney with a low 7th seed, were forced to contend with 2nd ranked Amherst. The team fought hard, but was ultimately sent home as the powerhouse Lord Jeffs, in front of freshman goaltender Lennard Kovacs, dealt Wesleyan their loss.
The team celebrated a strong finish to its regular season, however, as the Cards dispatched the Connecticut College Camels for the 10th consecutive time, with goals from Asante Brooks ’10 and co-captain Ozzie Parente ’09. Brooks, usually a bastion of the Cardinal defense, marked his first tally of the year at the forward position, where he played for the duration of the game.
While the season as a whole fell short of expectations, there were a few bright spots for Wesleyan. The Cards bounced back from an opening day loss to Western New England College with three extremely strong matches, edging out rival Bowdoin 1-0 before defeating Springfield College 3-1.
A deadlocked match with perennial powerhouse Middlebury was certainly a highlight for the Cardinals. Wesleyan tied the Panthers in an exhilarating double overtime contest, a feat that very few squads were able to accomplish this season.
Wesleyan can also look back in satisfaction at its 5-2 win against Colby, a match where the Cards displayed the potential of their offensive stars. Parent scored two goals, as did leading scorer Matt Nevin ’09, and junior midfielder Nick Whipple scored one.
Nevin and Parente are not the only seniors that the team will miss next year, as the Cards will also be forced to part with forward Kyle Nuland’09 and co-captain Alan Ashenfelter ’09.
A strong crop of juniors will step in to leadership roles for the Cardinals next year, however, as Nick Whipple, Mark Murphy, Woody Redpath, Asante Brooks, Jory Kahan, and Nick Boskovich are set to return for what they hope will be a memorable final season. They will be supported by a strong group of younger players, including freshmen Harrison Lewin, Zach Dixon, and goaltender Tucker Morgan, all of whom played well in their opening season.
In addition, the Cards will undoubtedly look to Geoff Zartarian ’11 and solid starting goalie Nigel Stacey ’11 to improve on strong seasons this year.
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