The Blinn College men’s soccer team is entering conference play with an unbeaten record that includes no offensive goals allowed.
Blinn beat the Dynamos Soccer Club 8-0 in a lightning-delayed game Wednesday night at Rankin Field in Brenham. The win puts the Buccaneers at 2-0-1 on the season, with conference play kicking off Saturday with a road contest against Northeast Texas Community College.
Blinn still has to surrender an offensive goal this season. The Bucs tied Fever United Soccer Club 1-1 last Saturday, but scored an own goal in that contest. Their opening game was an 11-0 blowout against Crush Soccer Club.
Head coach Michael McBride said the game, which was delayed twice because of lightning in the area, again allowed Blinn to play everyone on the team.
“We nearly didn’t get the game in. It was close to being called,” said McBride, “but everybody got to play. It was good to see everyone out there in the last game before we go into conference play. No injuries, it was foul-free. It was played in a good spirit.”
Assistant coach Rudy Roediger said the Bucs are looking at developing depth, which will be vital in a competitive conference schedule.
“It’s important for us to have a look at players early in the season before we hit conference and try to develop some depth,” Roediger said. “This was an opportunity to do that. We’ve been able to play a lot of people in two of the three games, and that’s important. The world we’re in now, you never know who’s going to be available.”
The Bucs have had an offensive explosion in their two wins, which Roediger said gives players confidence.
“The confidence that comes from scoring goals helps you score in other games,” he said. “That is a real positive thing. We’ve got some guys feeling good about themselves.”
Saturday’s game will begin at 4 p.m. The Blinn women’s soccer team kicks off its season – and conference play – Saturday at 2 p.m., also on the road against Northeast Texas.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987. For more information, visit www.buccaneersports.com.
