Men's Soccer Ends Season on High Note

Men's Soccer Ends Season on High Note

By Bryant Marks

MELBOURNE, FL -- The Richard Bland College men's soccer team played in its third-ever NJCAA Southeast District Tournament on Friday but could not advance to the final round of the tournament after falling to Eastern Florida State College, 0-4

The men's team finishes their 2019 season with a 16-4 record.

Starting the first half each team could not gain an edge over the other and as they stayed tied for the majority of the half.  With about 20 minutes left in the half, Eastern Florida nets a goal after the ball bounces around from player to player in the box.  They would hold that lead of 1-0 going into halftime as RBC.  As the second half started, Eastern Florida fought off many RBC attacks time and time again, while counter-attacking off the Statesmen's turnovers.  Eastern Florida would net three goals in the second half to extend their lead to 4-0.  Bland's chances were limited tonight as EFSC controlled the ball well, but that did not the Statesmen from getting some good runs on their opponents.

Although the season may have ended after Friday's game, the men's team accomplished many great feats during its course.  Three members of its squad were selected to the Region X First Team All-Conference (Matthew Ridley, Gorka Delgado, and Gonzalo Bazan) and another three were selected to the Region X Second Team All-Conference (Antonio Ferreira, Nehemie Lamtoukou, and Juan Menjivar.)  RBC also rostered the 2019 Region X Player of the Year in Gorka Delgado, who was leading NJCAA Division I in goals scored on the season before going down to an injury.  The sophomores were great leaders on this team throughout the season and will greatly be missed as they move on in their athletic and academic careers.  This season just builds even more upon the tradition of winning that has been growing here at Richard Bland in its soccer program.  Next year can expect much of the same as the team knows what is expected and what needs to be done to get back to this point!