Thursday night the men’s soccer team played host to the Montana State University Billings. The visitors came in as the second-best team in the GNAC, as well as the highest-scoring team, with 31 goals in 13 games played. After a very slow and boring first half, a moment of brilliance in the second from Michael North gave the Clan a 1–0 lead. After a red card minutes later, SFU had to hold on with 10 men for nearly half an hour.
“It was a battle,” said Head Coach Clint Schneider after the match. “We got a red card, which was deserved, to be frank. [. . .] I’m glad we got the result tonight. I don’t think we gave them a whole lot to look at in front of the goal, and Michael North scored a wonder [goal].
“We’re moving forward,” Schneider continued. “Another shutout at home, that’s first class from the guys. We just have to keep it going.”
The first half did not feature that much action, to put it lightly. It was the type of first half that feeds the stereotype that soccer is a boring sport. Neither team was able to string any passes together, and the vast majority of the time was spent kicking the ball down the field. Montana State did a great job of forcing the SFU wingers to the inside, where they were promptly met by a swarm of players.
The second half made up for the first half though. In the 57th minute, Michael North cut inside from the left wing and shot an absolute bullet into the top right corner. That goal proved to be crucial, as a few minutes later James Fraser got a straight red card. A dangerous studs up challenge right into the opposing goalie meant he was sent off, and the Clan had to defend the next 30 odd minutes a man down. After some close moments near the end, they held on for a 1–0 win.
The story by the end of the game was North’s goal, a flash of magic that broke the game open. “Sometimes you need a little bit of magic. They all knew he was going to his left foot, didn’t matter. What a finish,” exclaimed coach Schneider.
With the team still battling down a man, can they build off this success in the rest of the season? “Our guys are realising that they can win games gritty,” said Schneider. “It was a gritty result [tonight]. It’s hard to play good football when you’re down a man, [but] we still made it difficult for them.
“In every regard, I’m very proud of them.”
