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Photo Courtesy of Dan Curan
Some people go to the beach, while others prefer the mountains or maybe amusement parks for their summer vacation. The King’s College Men’s Soccer team took its vacation to another level this summer.
The Monarchs traveled to three different European countries and played games against some of the top competition in Europe. Their first stop was the Czech Republic, then on to Austria and finally ending up in Germany. For a team that made it to the MAC Freedom Conference finals a year ago, European competition is unlike anything they will compete against in the States.
As the old cliché goes, “to be the best you have to beat the best,”and that is exactly what the Monarchs did. They went 1-2 against the European teams. Their first game was against a junior professional Czech team, Sparta Prague. The Sparta Prague senior team plays in the Champions League in Europe, which features some of Europe’s most competitive teams. The kids that King’s went up against have a pretty good shot at turning pro in Europe and playing for the senior Sparta Prague team. Although the Monarchs lost the match 4-1 coach Mark Bassett thought highly of his team’s performance.
“That was probably the best game we have ever played since I have been here,” coach Bassett said.
Senior forward Mark Timko scored the only goal for King’s and Junior midfielder Brian McElroy had the assist.
In their second game, King’s went up against PSV Salzburg in Austria. The Monarchs defeated PSV 3-2 behind two goals from senior forward and reigning Freedom conference MVP, Cameron Audette. Timko added another goal against the Austrian junior team. In the third game of their tour the Monarchs fell 2-1 to FC Ebersburg of Dachau Germany. While playing hard on the field, the guys were able to enjoy themselves off the field as well.
While in Austria they were able to go white water rafting down the Austrian Alps. In Germany the team visited the Dachau Concentration camp, which was used during World War II. Coach Bassett believes it was an eye-opening experience for everyone and put things in perspective for his team.
“I believe everyone on the team enjoyed the off-field experiences just as much as playing soccer in a different country,” Audette said.
Ten days in Europe brought the team together because of the amount of time they were with each other as a team. Coach Bassett was impressed with how well his team came together as a whole.
“It was very important for us in terms of camaraderie, Basset said, “Not how they got along, but how they would handle being together non-stop as a whole team.”
In sports, sometimes the team with the better chemistry will find a way to overcome a team that has more raw talent. The Monarchs 4-0 record reflects how well the bonding in Europe paid off. One year removed from the Freedom Conference championship game, the men only have one goal in mind: A MAC Freedom championship.
Three new teams are entering the conference including Alvernia College, College of Misericordia, and Eastern University. Alvernia made the playoffs in the MAC Commonwealth last season and Misericordia and Eastern played each other in their conference final last year. Include the four teams that made the MAC Freedom playoffs last year and you’ve got seven playoff caliber teams fighting for five spots.
No matter who they play, the Monarchs believe they can improve upon last year and bring a soccer championship back to King’s and McElroy is confident that no one will get in their way.
“We are on a role right now and I don't see anyone stopping us.” |
