1986 Miracle Yearbook

Hydroplaning to Texas T his soccer team set the national title as their goal and dream from the beginning of the season. They believed they had the talent and desire to better their previous year's performance. The regular season ended not only with a winning record but also with a few other impressive accomplishments: 15 season victories, 11 shutouts, and an ended 10-match losing streak to Wilmington College. Capping off the season was a trip to Texasfor national tournament play. Twenty miles outside of Longview,Texas,the van carrying eight of the Cedarville soccer players went out of control and rolled completely over as it hit the embankment. At that moment,every team member was afraid. For some,it was fear for their own lives; for others, it wasfear for their lives of their teammates and friends. The nextfew moments were filled with emotion,shock, panic and fearful anticipation. It was an early Thanksgiving as each player was able to walk away from the demolished van with relatively minor injuries. Then,as each player helped comfort and encourage each other, a calmness and affective mood spread throughout the team as the initial fear subsided. Before the tournament play began, the team had devotions and times of sharing in which players expressed their feelings about the accident and how it affected their lives. The accident had an effect on the entire team and brought a spirit of unity. This inspired unity was demonstrated as the team defeated Letourneau 5-0 in first round action. They then defeated top seated Northwestern 1-0 and headed for a shot at the national title. After a hard fought battle, Cedarville was defeated 2-1 by Kings College in an evenly contested match ending an exciting and eventful season in which each player grew closer to each other and closer to God. Tom Fite Soccer 123