2008 Men's Soccer Season Review

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - What many would say is the best season in Trevecca men's soccer history didn't start with a great deal of promise. After receiving a forfeit from Brescia University the team would only secure one win over the next seven matches.

There were glimmers of hope along the way that gave hope for what was to come. A 2-1 loss in overtime to a strong Southern Tech squad was followed by a 2-1 loss in regulation to Union University. Crichton surprised the Trojans on the road in Memphis with a scoreless tie. NCAA DII Kentucky Wesleyan slipped by with an all to familiar 2-1 advantage.

Coach Carr and his team will tell you the turning point on the season came following the most distasteful performance of the season, a 7-0 manhandling by eventually NAIA National Champion Bethel College at the Trojan Soccer Complex. Trevecca bounced back with a more acceptable performance in a 1-0 loss to perennial power Martin Methodist.

Trevecca would win seven of their next 10 matches and suffered just two losses. One of those losses was a 1-0 decision at No. 14 William Carey. What's equally impressive, they played nine of those 10 on the road.

The streak included a program-first postseason win. The win came in upset fashion in the first round of the TranSouth Tournament. The 1-0 win over Union University was in Jackson and advanced the team to the TranSouth Conference Semifinals.

The season ended there with a 5-0 loss to Bethel College in McKenzie, Tenn.

Trevecca started the season 2-5-1 and 0-3 in the conference. Over the next 10 matches the Trojans went 7-2-1 and 3-1 in the conference.

The close to the season also brought down the lights to the career of one of the most decorated athletes in Trevecca history. Mark Foster, who had his No. 3 Jersey retired by the Trevecca athletic department following the season, now holds the Trevecca career goals scored record and was the first Trevecca soccer player to be named TranSouth Player of the Year.

Foster led the team in goals scored with eight, points with 20, and had a team high four assists. He also had two game winning goals during the season.

His 2008 honors included being named honorable mention NAIA All-American, TranSouth Player of the Year, All-TranSouth First Team, TranSouth Player of the Week and TranSouth Scholar-Athlete.

Parker Hughes was named NAIA Scholar-Athlete and was joined on the TranSouth Scholar-Athlete team by Mark Foster, Brad Camp, Matthew Marrotte, Caylan Goodman, Benji Bussell, Fernando Lopez and Craig Parker. Gift Ndam was selected to the All-TranSouth Second Team. Freshman Hayden Coffman was recognized as the TranSouth Defensive Player of the Week on two occasions during the season.