The Florida A&M intramural soccer team lost 4-2 to the Miami Hurricanes Thursday night at home.
The Rattlers were shut out in the first half and allowed the Hurricanes multiple chances to score. The team quickly found itself down by two goals at halftime.
In the second half, the Rattlers were able to score two goals to close the gap. However, the goals came with the Rattlers trailing by 4.
The team’s problems started when only seven players on the roster showed up to play. Head coach Leon Prosper understands that as students, some of the players have different priorities when it comes to playing.
“Since the players aren’t on scholarship, have bills to pay and classes to attend, I can see why some don’t show up to games or practice on time or at all sometimes,” Prosper said.
Wilken Moretant, a fifth-year construction engineer student, said the team struggled because it lacked communication and chemistry on the field.
“We have a lot of things to work on, but people need to start showing up,” Moretant said. “You can’t work on anything if people don’t show up.”
Moretant also said the main reason the soccer club is losing is because there is no chemistry and they have not had the time to develop this.
Oscar Herrera, a first-year electrical engineering student from Immokalee, Fla., said the arguments on the field are not helping the team out either.
“Instead of talking on the field and helping each other,” Herrera said, “players would be too busy arguing amongst themselves.”
Although the team has struggled, Prosper said he sees more to the team than what is shown in the win column.
“This team is filled with talent and endless potential,” Prosper said. “If they could come together as a team, they could be one of the greatest.”
After this loss, the club team is still optimistic about playing in the national tournament, which is set to take place next month in Memphis, Tenn.