Lucky number seven
Written by: | 3 Dec 2008
Defending champions,the Yavapai College men’s soccer team dominated their competition, San Jacinto College, with a 1-0 win Nov. 23, claiming the program’s seventh national title in 19 years.
“You try and hope for that; you try and aim for that goal. You never think you’re actually going to make it, actually going to put that much work to finish it,” says Sophomore Dirk Peterson, who scored the winning goal with a header in the championship final.
“We did and I think we deserve to go down in history with the best of them,” says Peterson.
Peterson was one of 10 returning players from last year’s team, which also took the national title.
“The highlight of the day for me, the highlight of the season was scoring that goal,” Peterson says. “I’ll for sure never forget that, seeing that ball come away from my head and going past the keeper into the net. That was defintely a special moment, probably a defining moment in my life.”
That was defintely a special moment, probably a defining moment in my life.
A perfect season
Sunday’s victory capped off a perfect season for the ‘Riders, who posted a 26-0-0 season.
“Returning 10 sophomores from the 2007 National Championship Team was a key factor in our success this season. They are not only good people with the drive and determination to succeed in life, but they are good players that bring those same traits to the field each game,” says Coach Mike Pantalione.
The Roughriders are the only team in the intercollegiate soccer program to ever win 26 games in a season.
“To be honest, you don’t really think you’re going to go undefeated; you hope you will be, but there’s always games here and there that the team doesn’t take too seriously,” says Sophomore Attacker Justin Meram.
A team effort
Meram was named ACCAC Player of the Year and Region I Player of the Year. Meram credits the team for his success.
“They’re my best friends. I mean I moved from Michigan, which is pretty much the farthest place from here and I don’t know too many people…playing for this team, it’s like a family and we just play for one another and we just try not to let each other down.”
Francis Khamis was named Most Valuable Player of the National Tournament and broke a long standing YC record for the most goals scored by a player in the soccer program’s history, with 53 goals.
A large portion of the team are sophomores and they are finishing their junior college careers with a 50-2 record.
Tomorrow is promised to no one.
The YC men’s soccer team was ranked number one in the nation by the NJCAA Men’s Division One Soccer Poll released Nov. 9. This is the seventy-fourth time that the ‘Riders have made the list.
“It was our overall team unity that kept us close and that’s what added to our success this year,” says Peterson.
The team only allowed 11 goals this season.
Looking into next season Pantalione says, “Tomorrow is promised to no one. Live each and every day to the fullest and good things will happen.”
Gallery photos by: Theo Hosey
THANK YOU!!!! Colette, What a photographer. I’d hire this guy……..
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