By Dominic Rapposelli
Sports Editor
Washington College men’s soccer returns to the postseason after finishing 8-4-6 overall and 4-3-2 in Centennial Conference play.
The Shoremen finished their season with a 3-3 draw against the non-conference Catholic University Cardinals on Oct. 29 and a 2-1 loss to the nineteenth-ranked Franklin and Marshall College Diplomats on Nov. 2.
In the draw with the Cardinals, freshman forward Jordan Waiganjo contributed two of the three Shoremen scores. Previously, he had found the back of the net just once in his inaugural campaign with WC.
“It has been a great feeling and experience to be involved in many games this season and I thank God for all he has done for me,” Waiganjo said. “It’s hard coming in as a first year and breaking into the team, but the hard work I put in pays off and I thank the coaches for trusting and believing in me and giving me the opportunity to perform.”
Against the Diplomats, the teams played to a halftime draw 0-0. After the halftime break, the scoring opened up with three second half goals. The Diplomats scored first, with the Shoremen responding just under 13 minutes later with a score from freshman forward Ethan Watson. Sophomore forward Francesco Bertolini provided the assist, his third in two games.
The tie was broken in the 85th minute, as the hosts found the back of the net once again to retake the lead in the waning minutes of the contest.
The final six-team playoff standings are set. Johns Hopkins University wrapped up the first seed, with the Diplomats finishing second, Muhlenberg College at third, Dickinson College fourth, and McDaniel College sixth, just behind the fifth-placed Shoremen.
“We feel really good about heading into the playoffs. Although this is a new position for us to be in this year, as the past three seasons we’ve either been the second seed or the first seed we’ve had a first-round bye. But this go around we are the fifth seed and will have to win three games to win the tournament. But I have full faith in my team and all the hard work we put in that we will be able to get results on the road,” fifth-year midfielder Mayowa Taiwo said.
The final standings indicate the Shoremen will travel to play the nationally ranked Dickinson College Red Devils on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. The Shoremen will not host a playoff game unless they and McDaniel advance to the conference championship game. The other first round matchup will take place simultaneously as McDaniel will play at Muhlenberg.
The Red Devils made the journey to Chestertown Md. earlier this season, where the teams played to a scoreless draw. Dickinson leads the all-time series 20-13-3 all time. However, WC has recent history on their side, going 2-1-2 over the last five meetings.
The Shoremen were 0-2-2 in games against the other squads in the playoffs in regular season meetings.
“My mindset and the mindset of the whole team now is that we take one game at a time and with the hard work, teamwork, and determination we have, I’m confident that we are very capable of winning the Conference playoffs,” Waiganjo said.
Photo by Darius Kesey.
Photo Caption: The Shoremen return to the postseason for a rematch at Dickinson.