2009 Year in Review

SPSU 2009 Year in Review

It was a banner year for the 2009 Southern Poly Men’s Soccer Team. A year of many firsts and improvements from an already top notch first two years. A season that future teams will look back upon and use as the benchmark for success both as individuals and as a team.

The 2009 Southern Poly team achieved what many teams can only dream about during the regular season. They went undefeated with a record of 12-0-1. Their only draw coming from an away match with SCAD which ended 2-2. The 12 victories and one draw saw the Southern Poly Hornets set a few unprecedented benchmarks. Firstly, they never trailed a game the entire regular season. It was not until the semifinals of the SSAC Tournament did they then go behind for the first time. Secondly, they set a program record of 9 shutouts during these 13 games. Finishing the season #2 in the NAIA for shutouts per game and #4 in total shutouts. During their run, they outscored teams with 33 goals for and only 8 against. In the SSAC they outscored teams 12-1. Allowing only one goal in seven SSAC conference games.

The 2009 Hornets also saw a benchmark set for individual achievements. They had an NAIA All-American, the SSAC Coach of the Year, the SSAC Newcomer of the Year, five players were named to the 13 man SSAC All-Conference 1^st team, one the SSAC All-Conference 2^nd team, five players were also named to the SSAC All-Academic Team and one to the SSAC Champion of Character team. The Hornets had the SSAC’s top goal scorer and the leader in assists. They had players rank #1 in the conference for points per game, goals per game, assists per game, and were #1 and #2 in game winning goals.

In the post-season, the Hornets lost in the semi-finals of the SSAC tournament. The furthest the program has ever gone in the tournament. They were the #1 seed throughout the tourney and hosted both the 1^st Round and the semifinals. They got a #8 seed in the 32 team NAIA National Tournament and hosted the 1^st Round of the NAIA National Championship winning 1-0. They traveled to Fresno, California with the other top 15 teams in the country. The Hornets lost the Round of 16 game setting a new program best for the National Tournament.