ROME, Ga. -- Back in early September, the Scots began the 2010 soccer season by claiming one win in four games. However, the team managed to turn its fortunes around and put together an eleven game winning streak to enter the final four games of its season with a 12-3 record. Unfortunately for the Scots, though, history repeated itself as they lost three of their last four to bookend the 1-3 start with a 1-3 finish. The last of these losses came away to Berry College this past Saturday, as the Vikings routed the visiting Scots 5-2. The loss not only bumps Covenant down to 13-6 on the year, but it also may have jeopardized the team's chances for hosting the NCCAA Mid-East region tournament later this month.
Strangely enough, the chilly, blustery, and ultimately dismal November day began brightly for Covenant, who scored in the opening stages of the game off a Matthew Hudnut finish. It all started when Sophomore Tyler Morrison beat his man down the line and sent in a nice cross to senior Brian Stair, who then flicked the ball across goal for Hudnut to slam in from close range. The Vikings responded only minutes later, however, as they beat several Covenant players down the left wing before slotting the ball past John Eger from close range. Covenant battled back just a few minutes after, though, as junior Todd Fleming's ball was flicked off Brian Stair's head and into the Berry net for the go-ahead goal. Up 2-1, Covenant held on for much of the half, but conceded another goal just before the break to make it 2-2 at the interval.
When play resumed, the effects of a long season began to show in Covenant's play. Lacking in depth with the absences of three key seniors – Hunt Davidson and Josh Johnson were out injured, while David Pifer was sidelined with a red card from the Bryan game – and lacking in the drive necessary to seize the game, the Scots stumbled out of the gates and conceded two goals off of set pieces. When sophomore Ryan Parr was then red-carded for a foul towards the end of the half, things totally caved in for the team, and it conceded one more goal before all was said and done.
"Right now, we are not playing to our full potential," said head coach Nathan Pifer. "Somehow we are going to have to find it deep within ourselves to pull it back together and start playing like a team again. If we don't want to be one-and-done come regionals, and if we want to make it back to Orlando for nationals, then we are going to have to get it together."
Covenant will now face a two week break in action as it awaits the seeding and scheduling results for the 2010 NCCAA Mid-East region tournament. The tournament, regardless of where it will be held, is scheduled to take place on the 19th and 20th of November, with the possibility of a play-in game on the 13th. The winner of the regional tournament will progress to the NCCAA national tournament in Kissimmee, Florida, and the Scots, who finished third place in the contest last year, will be hoping to right the ship and return come early December. "I think this team has the talent to make it back for Florida," said Senior David Pifer. "We need to get refocused, though, and hopefully we can use this two week break to reassess ourselves, think some things over, and put in some good practice hours so that we can start cranking out the victories again come regionals."
