BRENHAM, Texas — The Blinn College men’s soccer team fell to No. 11 Tyler Junior College, 3-1, in the final home game of the regular season on Friday at Rankin Field.
With the loss, the Buccaneers are now 6-5 overall and 5-5 in conference play.
“We competed and worked really hard all 90 minutes, and I am pleased with the overall effort of the team,” head coach Michael McBride said. “A number of the sophomores have been with us a couple of years, so it is going to be hard to say goodbye, but it is nice that they will get to finish their career here at Blinn at regionals. They are a special bunch who made history when they got into the rankings for the first time last year and I am thankful for everything they have done.”
Cesar Cabrera and Marco Del Vecchio led the Buccaneers’ offense against the Apaches. Del Vecchio scored Blinn’s only goal and Cabrera recorded the assist. In addition, they each had one shot on goal.
Diego Berlingeri recorded nine saves in 90 minutes of play.
Tyler was the first to score in the 23rd minute, but Blinn tied the game six minutes later. Del Vecchio scored on a pass from Cabrera in the 29th minute and the game remained tied 1-1 at halftime.
The score remained even until the 65th minute when the Apaches scored to pull ahead 2-1. They scored their final goal in the 78th minute to take a 3-1 lead.
“There was a point in the game where it could have gone a different direction, but they are a quality side and we will learn a lot from this,” assistant coach Jacob Beerman said. “We couldn’t ask for a better group of sophomores to work with the last two seasons. They have great character and I am really going to miss them next year.”
Next, the Buccaneers will compete against No. 5 Louisiana State University-Eunice on Sunday, May 9, at 4:30 p.m. on the road.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
