The Lawrence Technological University Men's Soccer Team traveled to Kentucky to take on the Campbellsville University Tigers, Sept. 1, and the St. Catharine College Patriots, Sept. 2. To say that things did not go well for the Blue Devils is an understatement as LTU was over powered 7-1 by the Tigers and lost 4-3 in two overtimes to the Patriots.
The Tigers scored an unassisted goal as soon as the clock struck one second. By the time 35 minutes and 27 seconds had gone by, the Tigers had a 5-0 lead and a hat trick by sophomore defensiveman and Swedish native, Gustav Carlsson.
The Blue Devils got on the board less than two minutes later, complements of the Tigers. LTU was awarded a goal when CU's goalie Max Malachiyev kicked the ball off one of his own players and into the net. By half time the Tigers lead 5-1.
The Tigers added two more goals in the second period. One goal was scored at 10 minutes into the period and the other found the net at 10 minutes remaining in the game to give the Tigers a 7-1 victory.
"We were caught off guard by a great team early off and were not able to get into the rhythm of the game quick enough. After the break we were able to regroup and contend with them during the second half," said Blue Devils' junior midfielder Danny Reyes.
Senior defenseman Chadd Scruggs was also able to find some good points in the Blue Devils' loss.
"It was a tough defeat, but it was also a wake-up call for some of the freshman to show how good some of these college teams we can play against are. We adjusted well in the second half and kept up the intensity, so we walked away with a decent moral victory," said Scruggs.
Despite playing in the pouring rain, the Blue Devils did bounce back in the game against St. Catharine College, rallying from behind in the second period tying the game 3-3 with seven minutes left regulation play. Unfortunately, the Patriots scored in extra overtime winning the game 4-3.
"With the tough weather and the defeat the day before, the team came out with great intensity. Even though we gave up the first goal we kept on fighting the whole game. It was tough to lose it in overtime the way we did, but with it being the second game in the weekend and the conditions it was a very well-played game," said Scruggs.
The match began with the Patriots scoring first after 10 minutes of play. Six minutes into the second half the Patriots scored again, giving the team a 2-0 lead. The Blue Devils finally got the ball in the net six minutes later making the score 2-1. However, the Patriots answered back with another goal giving them a 3-1 lead.
"We played a great game and once again showed we can come back from a deficit. We were able to learn a lot about ourselves and how we should be playing," Reyes.
"We lost both games, but in order to improve, we must play great teams," said Head Coach Will Dyer. "Campbellsville was a very solid squad from up top all the way to the back. We will bounce back and take the positives and try to fix what we didn't do so great and move on to the next one. As far as St. Catharine loss, I don't think the outcome necessarily shows how the game went. It was nasty as far as the weather, we had very good looks in the first half, if any of those go in, it's a different ballgame. Our young team showed resiliency and pride to force OT."
The Blue Devils' next game will be Sept. 8, beginning at 2 p.m. against Rochester College. The game will be played at Ultimate Soccer Arena in Pontiac, MI. LTU's next home game will be Sept. 9, at noon against Calumet College of St. Joseph.
