2007 Season Recap

Men’s Soccer Tallies 6-10-2 Record, Just Misses Out On Postseason Berth

“Oh, so close” might as well have been the theme for the 2007 Malone College men’s soccer team as the squad did indeed come extremely close to winning so many more matches this year than last season and to qualifying for postseason play. Under second-year head coach Marquis Walker, the team did win six matches this year en route to a 6-10-2 overall record and a 2-3 mark in the American Mideast Conference North Division but suffered seven of its 10 losses by the slimmest one-goal margin. 
 
In fact, of Malone’s 18 matches this season, all but three were decided by a single goal. Six contests went to double overtime with the Pioneers posting two wins, two losses, and two ties in those matches. Despite this large number of tightly contested match-ups, Malone remained in the AMC postseason hunt throughout the year, finishing fourth in the North Division standings, just two points shy of qualifying for the conference tournament.    
 
Several Pioneers put together impressive individual efforts this season, including senior defender George Tagaris (Queens, NY), who earned All-AMC North Second Team and NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) All-East Region honors after anchoring a strong Pioneer defense that allowed just 1.77 goals per game during the 2007 campaign. Sophomore Marcos Batchelor (London, England) also received All-AMC North Second Team recognition as he paced the Malone offense this year by recording team-highs with five goals, three assists, and 13 total points.    
    
Another important contributor this season was senior midfielder Lucas Martorana (Warren, OH), who collected All-AMC North Honorable Mention and NCCAA All-East Region accolades after notching two goals and making significant defensive contributions throughout the year.
 
Garnering both All-AMC North Honorable Mention and NCCAA All-East Region Honorable Mention recognition were junior midfielder Zach Rausch (Cuyahoga Falls H.S.), senior midfielder Jason Nelson (Green H.S.), and senior goalkeeper Mike Porter (Highland H.S.). Rausch posted four goals and tied Batchelor for the team lead in assists with three. Nelson registered two goals and provided solid defense while Porter had another strong season in front of the net as he tallied 63 saves with a 1.91 goals-against average and two shutouts. 
    
Although the 2007 season included a large number of frustrating one-goal defeats, Malone men’s soccer fans can take solace in the fact that the program is headed in the right direction. The Pioneers fought hard in every match this year and remained resilient down the stretch, finishing just one conference victory short in their quest for the playoffs. With an exciting recruiting class joining a strong group of returning players in 2008, the squad will look to continue its improvement next fall with a winning season and eventual postseason appearance.
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