Double Header: Bison Soccer Against the World

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — September 26th, 2003

__________________________________________________________________________________

Double Header: Bison Soccer Against the World

It doesn't happen too often.

For the second consecutive week, the men's and women's soccer team played back-to-back games giving fans more futbol than they can handle.

Both teams play grueling schedule and with the women independent and the men in the Atlantic Soccer Conference, catching the two at the same time and location is nearly impossible.

Being one of four complete sports families, these double-headers give them a chance to see each other in action. The support for one another is there regardless of a double-header, but there's a different atmosphere at Greene Stadium when watching three hours of soccer.

The men Bison were striving to end their four game losing streak. 

In their six games, the Bison scored four goals and allowed 14 and were out shot 119-53.

"In front of goal is a problem," explained Head Coach Keith Tucker. "We need to make that extra effort to score." 

Though crowd can't directly affect the outcome of the game, they can intimidate anybody opposing the Bison. 

For the University of Delaware, their cheering section was comprised of no more than seven people. 

Students from the Caribbean, though not as numerous as fans for Bison football, made just as much noise, if not more. 

Every touch, each ball had a coach-like response praising them or shouting instruction on what should have been done.

And don't be a referee; they get it the worst.

Let them miss an off-sides or a foul, words that a non-Caribbean student wouldn't understand and if they could, couldn't be printed in most publications.

Against Delaware, there were more "ohhs" and "ahhs" than threats and abuse toward the refs.

This was because of the excellent ball control of offensive midfielder Jason Gross. Once he got the ball, it was one or two moves to embarrass a defender then a touch or a through ball to a teammate.

Possession is the key to any game and the Bison controlled the game rarely letting it the ball go to deep in their own territory.

 

But possession mean nothing if you can't score. 

"In the box we weren't taking a shot," said Coach Tucker. "We were trying to be to organized, trying to get that sure goal. You just have to swing the foot."

The Bison had more than their fair share of opportunities, but Tucker is looking for that finishing pass or shot that will put the ball in the back of the net. 

Tucker's view was unaminously shared by his players.

Forward Ronald Goodlett and Courtney James were both on the receiving end of a few of Gross' passes and said, " We didn't finish our chances. Putting the ball in the back of the net has been our problem all season," said Goodlett.

"We're putting everything together we need that final touch to put it in the back of the net," James added. 

The difference was a single goal in the 84th minute by Delaware.

"We played some great ball. The team that capitalizes on errors wins," said Gross. 

It was a flawless game for the Bison until a throw-in that was played short resulted in a Delaware goal.

"To beat Jason on the near post it has to be an incredible shot," Tucker said.

It was a left foot shot at the near post beat goalkeeper Jason Williams.

"He hit it well. I wasn't in optimum position. It was a good shot," Williams praised.

The Bison took this loss in stride saying it's not as important as their conference game on Saturday against Adelphi. 

"We work off these games. We take the bad, turn them into good and take them into our conference game," James said.