The Florida A&M University club soccer team was unsuccessful in defending their home field, as they fell to the Valdosta State Blazers on Sunday 3-0.
The Rattlers squandered early chances to put points on the scoreboard, missing shots on goal and losing possession on their attacks. The team couldn’t capitalize on its pressure defense that kept the Blazers off balance.
Midfielder Mark Nashed, a third-year pharmacy student, admitted the missed opportunities were tough, but with only three weeks into the season, the team has room to grow.
“We just got to be able to finish,” he said. “When we get in front of the goal one on one, it’s not happening. We just gotta practice that, we’ll be good.”
The game was played close in the first half, as both teams entered halftime scoreless.
However once the second half began, the fatigue began to halt the Rattlers’ defensive pressure. Valdosta State then led an attack that ended with the first goal of the game midway through the second half.
After the final break, the Blazers were able to put two more goals on the scoreboard. Florida A&M was unable to answer them despite having more over ten shots at the goal.
Head coach Yves Anglade was more pleased with how the team played compared to the first game, but sees that a lot of improvement can be made.
“Last game we played in the first 30 minutes we were out. This time we made it to the middle of the second half before they were able to score all three goals,” he said. “Two months down the line we will be fully fit and winning.”
Defender Wilken Morestant, a fifth-year construction (or civil) engineer student, echoed the team’s need to continue practicing together.
“As we get better, guys will start trusting each other,” he said. “The goals will come. We just need to keep pushing.”
The team (0-2) looks to bounce back when they play Georgia State next Sunday.