After a rigorous week leading up to the game, exhaustion from scrimmages the men's club soccer team had on Friday played a big factor in the loss they suffered on Sunday at Spring Arbor University.
The final score was 6-5; three goals by senior Ike Gray in the first half and two by senior Jay Wilson in the second.
"It was a fair match up; we only had two subs so I think that played a significant role in our defeat. For the next game I think we are just going to have to work on getting everyone there," Gray said.
Wilson added that some key players were not at the game. "We were missing five very key starters with whom we would have definitely had a completely different outcome."
Senior Andy Dunn agreed. "Considering that we were missing almost half of our team, we still matched up really well against Spring Arbor and only lost by one point. Also, we only had two subs so most guys played the whole game, while [Spring Arbor] had plenty of numbers and got to sub often."
Considering the circumstances, the team remained resolute throughout.
"The size of the field we played on was an impediment coupled with the fact that we had a mixture of the two lines that we run. When you play on a smaller field the defense can be caught off guard very easily," Gray said.
In the first half the Chargers started the game out lethargic and on their heels. They didn't expect Spring Arbor to dominate the play within the first fifteen minutes of the game, but they remained focused and adjusted where need be.
"The first 25 minutes of the first half were quite embarrassing and we all knew it," Wilson said.
By the end of first half the Chargers moved the ball around well and players made offensive runs to keep up with Spring Arbor's pace of play.
"The first half we started off slow and let three quick goals, but we really stepped it up in the end of the first and into the second half," Wilson said.
The Chargers came out the second half knowing what needed to be done to get points on the board and did exactly what needed to be done.
"We outscored them in the second half 3-2, but even the second half score doesn't show the domination we possessed. I don't think they had more than four or five shots on goal the second half, but it was just one of those days for us," Wilson said.
Looking ahead, student coaches Gray and Wilson just want to be sure people will show up for the games, literally.
"The next games will go better when we have a full team and can sub for people when they get tired, and don't have the last minute lineup changes," Dunn said.
The next game is at Albion Oct. 24 at 1 p.m.