Men’s Soccer Splits Homestand Against Clark and Centralia

SPSCC Men's Soccer is running on all cylinders right now and even though the scoreline might not reflect it, it is very evident in the way they are playing.

The lads' week started off with a tough test against 5-1-3 Clark and they knew they would have to play the game of their lives in order to get a result from this match. And play the game of their lives they did.

An early Clark foul in the box gave way to a penalty kick for the Clippers, but Alex Canning was not able to convert from the spot. Shortly after the PK miss, the Penguins were able to get on the board to give them the 1-0 advantage in the 18th minute.

What ensued after the goal was great attacking play and even greater goalkeeping from both the Clark goalkeeper and Clipper Freshman Goalkeeper Wyatt Thornycroft. Each team had fantastic chances to score but both goalkeepers were playing out of their minds to keep the score where it was.

"I came into the game knowing it was going to be a battle," said Thornycroft. "My reactions were there today and I had a great defense in front of me. They helped with blocks and with a lot of saves. I would have had twice the saves if I didn't have them."

No more goals were to be had for the day and the Clippers went down by a score of 1-0 in a game that they felt should have gone their way. The lads couldn't live with their heads down for too long as they had the Centralia Trailblazers coming into town three days after their battle with Clark.

The Clippers' great run of play continued into this game as they made quick work of the Trailblazers, winning by a score of 3-0. Canning redeemed himself in this game; finding his goalscoring touch as he netted the first two goals for the Clips in the first 10 minutes of the game. Mathias Fog added another insurance goal in the 84th minute to cap off a great win for the guys.

"The conversation our locker room […] has been how can we stay in the moment and stay focused on what we are doing; not allow one mistake to become two or three mistakes; and to enjoy competing," said Head Coach Max Sampson about his team's recent performance. "We're still in the thick of things on a playoff chase and I think it's going to come down to being consistent and can we rise up against [the tough opposition] at home, on our field."

The Clippers have a break day next Wednesday and they will host Highline on Saturday, October 18.