Bantams Triumph Over Denmark Tech Panthers

"It's a great step for sure," said freshman Julien Födisch, USCU Men's Soccer midfielder, after the team won 10-1 against Denmark Technical College on Wednesday, September 11." We are really improving as team." 

The Bantams started off strong with a goal from sophomore winger Mila Mzamane at 34 seconds into the game, assisted by freshman defensive midfielder Juan Rodas (pictured above). Mzamane scored another goal at 42 minutes, assisted by freshman defender Josh Macdonald. Freshman defender Pablo Valverde scored at 42:36 with an assist from Mzamane.

The Bantams accelerated in the second half of the game, starting with Födisch, who scored at 47 minutes with an assist from sophomore midfielder Chris Neilson. Mzamane then scored at 49 minutes with an assist from Neilson. Freshman forward Antonio Adrigo scored at 69 minutes with an assist from Mzamane and freshman forward Steven Ouattara scored an unassisted goal at 73 minutes. Adrigo scored again at 83 minutes with an assist from Ouattara. Sophomore forward Jedidah Omoghan scored at 86 minutes and 89 minutes with assists from sophomore midfielder Li an Sum Lal and sophomore defender Luke Hopewood. Sophomore goalkeeper Colby Suber completed 1 save out of 2 shots on the goal.

"It was a great game because we were able to do what we trained to do in practice," said Rodas. "It was good to have a game where everyone was able to play." Rodas, a native of Pereira, Columbia, says that he and his teammates bring many different playing styles because the team has many international players from all over the world. "Soccer here is more physical. In Columbia, it's more technical," he said. "Coach Curlee does a great job helping us find one style of play."

"We needed this victory coming off a couple of losses," said Valverde. "We went to practice and really worked on our technique and were able to play the kind of soccer we wanted to play." He says that communication is always a huge factor in a team's success. "We make sure we are talking to each other off the field and on the field. Having a tight connection is a big deal to our team."

Suber says that as the team improves, so does his personal performance. "I've done well in terms of my shot-stopping this season, but there are other aspects of the game I know a need to work on," he said. "I want to go into our upcoming games ready to win. Go Bantams!"

Bantam Men's Soccer will travel to Petersburg, VA to take on Richard Bland College on Saturday, September 21 and will play USC Lancaster at home on Wednesday, September 25.

Featured image by Ohana Sports Photography