THE SEASON ENDS FOR BLINN MEN’S SOCCER AT THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Story by Joe Alberico, Blinn College Sports Information

An outstanding season of Blinn College men’s soccer came to an end Monday as the Buccaneers fell to Barton Community College in pool play at the NJCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The fourth-ranked and fifth-seeded Cougars earned a 2-1 victory over eighth-ranked and ninth-seeded Blinn.

The Bucs finished 0-2 in pool matches but played both No. 3-ranked (fourth-seeded) Daytona State College (on Sunday) and Barton tough in identical outcomes.

“We have to remember that our lads played the No. 3 and No. 4 teams in the country to one-goal outcomes within 24 hours of each other,” Blinn head coach Michael McBride said. “It was a Herculean effort this evening, and I am fiercely proud of the entire squad. They represented Blinn College impeccably both on and off the pitch. Furthermore, I am indebted to the Blinn College Administration and support staff for its unwavering support, without which we would not have been able to make it this far.”

Blinn’s national tournament appearance was the first in program history. The Bucs finished their season 14-5-1.

Barton built a 2-0 lead in the first half with goals in the fifth and 36th minutes.

The Bucs answered in the 51st with a goal from freshman midfielder Jordan Franco, assisted by freshman forward/defender Jesus Gonzalez. 

“Conceding a goal early was a blow, but as the game went on, we got better,” McBride said. “We came desperately close to getting an equalizer, but it wasn’t to be.”

The Cougars outshot the Bucs 10-6, while Blinn earned a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.

Bucs sophomore goalie Noah LeMaster made four saves.