UNA men’s club soccer headed to Lake City, Fla., Nov. 14-16, ready to secure the playoffs. The team closed the regular fall season ranked No. 1 with 15 points, 5-0.
As they prepared to keep their winning streak, the club practiced consistently over the preparation weeks and planned a strategy to pull through and make it to the next round.
“We played Tuskegee before, so we knew what we were going into with them.” Vice President Zach Boyett stated.
While facing new opponents, like North Florida and Florida Polytechnic, Boyett spoke on how the team prepares for facing uncertainty.
“We know we are a good team, therefore we just stick to what we do best, play together and be creative,” he said.
During this regional tournament, teams competed in a bracket system where each team competed to move up to semifinals, then moved up to be placed in the finals. After the second day of competition, club Lions finished 5-4 against Florida Polytechnic due to a tight match resulting in penalty kicks. The team’s victory from the semifinals moved them up in the bracket to play the University of North Florida on Sunday, Nov. 16, in the final.
The Lions were just short of being playoff champions, losing 0-1 to North Florida in the second half, finishing their season as runner ups, following an undefeated conference season.
The team ran into a few issues throughout the tournament. Vice President Zach Boyett said four of the 24 players had to miss out on the first day of championship due to “school and work obligations.” Without some of the players, which was a setback at first, the team still managed to move up to the semifinals on the next day.
Many injuries led other players to step up, who Boyett said stood out the most with their hard work and dedication, including rookie Alejandro Piedra. Midfielder and Club Volleyball President Brayden Lopez had never played much soccer before the beginning of the fall semester — Boyett pointed how “amazing it [was] to see him do so well this year.” Lopez became “one of the most improved players and a key piece in the midfield.”
Senior Ryan Mukindi not only played his last season of collegiate club soccer, “he put in an amazing defensive performance.” Oleksyi Boyard became the team’s “main offensive weapon.” Boyett said Boyard stood out “not only during the regular season but was fantastic during the playoffs.”
Even though the soccer club did not make first place, Boyard brought home the Golden Boot award for scoring the most goals.
For more information about the club, future tryouts, and spring schedule, check una_msoccer on instagram.
