Bent Tree News

On a campus full of various activities vying for students’ attention on any given day, the men’s soccer team is fighting for respect within the student body and the Peach Belt Conference. How many times have you seen someone with a Clayton State Soccer sweatshirt? How many times have you recognized them without the soccer team apparel? I have only noticed a few, and many students do not follow what they consider to be a “not so popular sport.”

Lead by Head Coach Pete Petersen, the team played a great season and fought their way to being ranked 14th and winning the Peach Belt Conference again with a record of 13-3-2. After another hard fought season, we are going to the playoffs, but this was no easy season. Battling low attendance and a tough schedule, the team lost 3-1 in what some are calling an upset to USC-Aiken. This game was very physical due to the combined 49 fouls and 3 yellow cards. They rebounded and won seven of the last eight regular season games to advance to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.

One thing is sure about this team, fighting to gain respect comes naturally as the team is complied of players from different backgrounds, personalities, and locations. The roster is complied of various countries such as South Africa, Antigua, Haiti, Germany, Kenya, England and Sweden. The captain of the team is South African Jarrid Nicholson, a senior midfielder who finished the season with four assists on the season. The leading scorer and most captivating player is Jamal Geathers, a defenseman who hails from Aiken, South Carolina. But don’t get it twisted, he has assisted other teammates in scoring, and winning has been the mission.

Success is nothing new to this team; they are repeat league champions and conference tournament champions in 2005 and 2007. In 2004 and 2005 the team reached the NCAA tournament. Grades and brighter futures are the main reason we attend school, however, these men are carrying that load and more. So before you go out to hit the club, or start on that paper you waited too long to write, come see what the fuss on and off the field is all about! The Men’s Soccer team is well on its way to becoming a soccer powerhouse. Join the growing support as we strive to solidify our championship season and take this fight to the national stage!

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