The Chart Online

Mental mistakes cost team third defeat
Kristen Smith

Staff Writer

Freshmen players continue to prove themselves in men's soccer this season.

On Sept. 20, the Lions played a home game against the University of Central Arkansas. Freshman J.P. West scored the only goal for Southern without assistance.

"It was being at the right place at the right time," West said.

West usually plays defensive midfielder for Southern but was able to play forward in the Sept. 20 game. This was his first goal of the season.

The goal scored by West wasn t and easy task. In order to score he did a half-backflip to kick the ball into the goal which sent him landing on his back.

Eleven shots were attempted by the Lions. UCA defeated Southern, 3-1.

Junior Lance Juett said the Lions outplayed UCA in the first half of the game and fell behind in the second. The Lions remained close behind until the third goal scored by UCA. This goal was not made until the last 30 seconds of the game.

"We had a couple of breakdowns and a few mental errors," Juett said. "We came out on our heels."

The mental mistakes cost the team its third loss the season. The men currently stand 1-3-1.

"The shot count was even," Juett said. "They finished off their chances and we didn't."

Juett said UCA had more ball control during the match, which gave UCA a great advantage over Southern from the beginning. The Lions will continue to work hard during practice to correct the mistakes it made.

Senior midfielder Rob McCutcheon said the team is working hard at gaining unity among its players.

"We have the talent and skill, we just haven't put it together yet," Juett said.

The team continues to encourage its fellow students to support the team at the home games.

"We need student support," said Zach Zalewski, freshman marketing major.

The men travel to Rolla on Wednesday to face the University of Missouri-Rolla. The team previously traveled to Rolla for a conference the first weekend of September against Northern Kentucky and St. Joseph s College. This will be Southern s first chance to play UMR. The Miners currently stand at 5-1-1 for the season.