Head coach Bryan Scales will be battling two demons today — the first is to recharge an injury-ridden men’s soccer team, and the second is to rekindle its spirit against his alma mater. The Red travel to Oneonta today to play Hartwick in a non-league matchup.
When asked about his ambivalent emotions of playing his alma mater, coach Scales responded, “We need to win regardless of who we play. Hartwick is a good team and will not roll over and let us pound on them.”
Scales’ no-mercy attitude is reflective of the team’s critical situation. After a mentally grueling loss to the first-place Brown Bears, the Red is badly in need of a win.
Last Sunday, the Red had an opportunity to put itself in first-place in the Ivy League. The teams went into halftime tied at one a piece. The second half proved to be a different story as the Bears dominated the Red on both sides of the ball to gain control of the match and notch a 3-2 win.
“In the second half, [Brown] scored a goal off of a free kick two minutes into the half,” Scales said. “That goal shocked us and it changed the rest of the game.”
In terms of the team’s morale, the players need a recharging, according to Scales.
“We did not practice on Monday,” he said. “We were a little down as it is to be expected, but it is my job and our captains’ to get the players up.”
A major scare for the Red was senior Adam Skumawitz’s groin injury, which occurred during the Brown game. However he did play through the pain and is expected to continue his heroics on the field. With his assist in Sunday’s match, Skumawitz moved to the forefront of the Ivy League scoreboard.
Another motivation for the Red is its desire to avenge its loss last year to Hartwick. This loss pushed the booters out of NCAA tournament.
With the revenge factor, Scales’ alma mater issue and Skumawitz’s heroics, the Red is ready to notch a win against Hartwick.
Archived article by Jason Skolnik