Just weeks removed from their nearly flawless record entering conference play, the Asbury men’s soccer team has hit a midseason snag. While individual play hasn’t necessarily taken a statistical hit, the unit’s overall performance has suffered, and the reason as to why lies unfortunately in plain sight.
The Eagles began conference play, meaning both competition and the floor-level for their opponents’ talent rose dramatically. The Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS), while not necessarily known for national recognition, is certainly a stout league with unique challenges proposed by every team, evidenced by Asbury’s recent struggles to stay afloat as the season progresses.
After securing a win on Sept. 20 at home against Indiana University East earlier this year, the Eagles haven’t managed to secure a win since. In the five matches since, Asbury has notched three ties and two losses, stretching their streak without a victory to nearly an entire month.
The team’s most recent defeat came on the road in Maryville, Tenn., in convincing 3-1 fashion. After the drop, the Eagles’ away tally on the season fell to the .500 point at 3-3-1. Their home record, while better, is only marginally so at 3-1-2. Their slate in CCS competition specifically stands currently at 0-2-2.
While it’s safe to say that the Eagles’ season has taken a turn for the worse, the year is far from over; the team’s tendency to end duels in a draw is much better than a would-be penchant for outright losing them.
The most important competition lies ahead after the incoming end of the regular season, in the form of the CCS Tournament, followed by the NCCAA Regionals. Regardless of how the Eagles finish the year in their last game against Covenant College at home on Saturday, Oct. 25, they’ll have the chance to compete in conference and regional play either way.
Sometimes it takes a negative stretch before a team can adjust to the heightened difficulty of a new pool of opposers. If a good time exists for Asbury to get their ducks in a row, it’s the final game before tournament play begins. All eyes turn to this weekend as the Eagles face off in their last regular season game.
Photo courtesy of Asbury Smug Mug.
