1984 Miracle Yearbook

It's Not Just For Kicks T he last ten seconds ticked off the scoreboard and there was noth- ing to do but watch the numbers de- scend and close the game. For myself and three other seniors, it ended not only a game but also a college career. For the rest of the team, this game completed the season for yet another year. When you are down three goals to one with only ten seconds left in what would quickly be the final match, there is not much to do except to re- flect. Doubt of a successful year plagued the pre-season training camp. Seven starters were not returning, which can cause any team to question the sea- son's outcome. Doubt turned to seri- ous concern when injuries sidelined three starters before the opening match. However, with an anxious group of rookies, sprinkled with a few veterans, the opening match with state soccer power Denison College ended in a 1-1 tie. Needless to say, spirits rose, and the beginnings of a hard working, unified team took shape. Intensity and team pride char- acterized this year's squad. No one ever gave up, even when practices were hot and games did not always go the way we would have liked. The schedule was the hardest ever played by a Cedarville team,including five of the top ten teams in the state. We experienced heartbreaking losses to the University of Dayton; Judson Col- lege; and NAIA district 22 winner, Wil- mington College. However, we also experienced heartlifting and exciting wins such as the great team effort at Homecoming against Northern Ken- tucky University. Time does not permit me to contin- ue; my ten seconds are almost gone. Whatcan one say about a 10-6-2"re- building" year? The record says it was exceptional; that it was. Even with the disappointment of only one post-sea- son game, I believe that this season and the past four years have been the best experience an athlete can hope for. I can say this not merely because of placing second in a national tourna- ment years ago, or because of win- ning glorious victories and honors, but because of making lifelong friendships with special people who help you grow and learn. That is what a suc- cessful season and career are all about. by Dave Jones 188 Varsity Soccer