Men's Soccer Limps Into Playoffs

Lyndon State College's Men's Soccer team has had an up-and-down season so far.

The team is currently sitting at a 6-9-1 record. It is 3-4-1 against opponents in the North Atlantic Conference.

Senior Striker Shane O'Donnell-Leach believes that the team has the talent to compete at a high level.

"We know we have the talent to play with anybody in the conference. It's all about putting it all together," O'Donnell-Leach said.

There have been constant injuries to the team, including to O'Donnell-Leach, who said that he had two sprained ankles at the beginning of the season.

These injuries certainly slowed O'Donnell-Leach down, but he was able to fight his way through.

"By the end of the season, you're so beat up. It's all about heart rather than health," O'Donnell-Leach said.

For O'Donnell-Leach, the inspiration to play hard comes from his teammates.

"You definitely see your teammates out there, and they're playing through pain. It makes you want to step up your game. The pain kind of goes away with the adrenaline and the respect you have for your teammates out there playing hard alongside you," O'Donnell-Leach said.

If the team gets fully healthy, O'Donnell Leach sees the team in a good position to win the NAC.

"There's not a doubt in my mind that we have the talent and ability to win the NAC. We've had our challenges throughout the season, and we've definitely fought through them and stayed together through them. I feel like the playoffs are where it's all going to come together for us," O'Donnell-Leach said.

Junior Striker Patrice Lumumba also has a great of confidence in the team.

"We have a great team. I feel like we have a better team than last year," Lumumba said.

Lumumba, who is first in the NAC in points (26), still feels like he has to improve his performance for the playoffs.

"The next couple of games I'll try to go out, and hopefully do better again," Lumumba said.

The Hornets have one more regular season this Saturday, 3:00 p.m. at Thomas University. Currently, the team is in seventh place in the NAC. It needs to be in eighth place or higher to qualify for the NAC playoffs.

That low ranking does not mean anything to Lumumba.

"We can be the last seed, and we can perform better in the playoffs," Lumumba said.