•• Soccer Searcy "Steels" Second place 0 vercoming adversity is something the Searcy Steel soccer team has become accustomed to since its inception in 1978. 1985 proved to be no exception. However, the team was able to deal with their problems well enough to perform capably on the field. The team's limited spring schedule began with a tournament at Ouachita Baptist University on February 22-23. After tying UALR in the first game 22, the Steel defeated Hendrix 2-1. Rain forced postponement of a game with OBU until two weeks later, when the Steel came out on the losing end. The Steel later lost to NCAA Division member, Memphis State, 4-0 in an exhibition. When the team began fall practice in September, player-coach Todd Thompson discovered several new faces. In fact, seven of 12 players were new to the Steel. Such a change in personnel caused adjustment problems early in the season. The team was forced to forfeit their first game with College of the Ozarks because several players were unable to pay the registration fee. After defeating Arkansas College a week later, 7-0, the Steel dropped close games with University of Arkansas club team, 4-2, and Hendrix, 2-0. They also won over OBU, 4-0. 'The problems at the beginning were mainly registration," Thompson said. 'We could have 'whooped' up on College of the Ozarks.' ' The Steel would also experience a change in coaches when Thompson stepped idown as coach and allowed the players to select sophomore midfielder, Rufino Lin, as his successor. Lin, who was coaching for the first time, said the job "helped me look at the game in a different perspective. I didn' t do a good job in judgment," he said, adding that he was able to accept the criticism he received from his players. The Steel finished the last half in fine fashion, winning four of five games, good enough for a second place finish in the league. On October 26, Lin's two goals led the team to a 3-1 win at the College of the Ozarks. After breezing past Arkansas College, 9-0, at home on November 2, the Steel lost, 3-2, at UA-Fayetteville after being tied at halftime. The Steel, on November 16, put together what Lin and Thompson called. their best showing of the year in getting a 2-0 win over Hendrix in Conway. The defensive play of the fullbacks, the play of midfielder Jose Mai, and the goalkeeping of freshman Felix Fernandez were important factors. 'That was the only time this year I thought everything came together," Thompson said. The Steel finished the year with a 9-0 romp at OBU. Thompson said the collective ability of the players was the key behind the strong second-half finish. 'When you've got 11 guys on the field who've been playing soccer since they were walking, and just have incredible skills, even the most unorganized effort will succeed some, II a Attah boy! In an attempt to drive in for a goal , Attah Frimpong displays his ability to outmaneuver his opponents and keep in control and possession of the ball. - photo by Ron Pacheco. Searcy Steel Game Results UA-Little Rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2 Hendrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1 Ouachita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4 Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-4 Arkansas College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-0 UA Club Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Hendrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-0 Ouachita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-0 Ozarks ............................ 3-1 Arkansas College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-0 UA-Fayetteville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3 Hendrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-0 Ouachita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-0 What a kicker! Todd Thompson from Mes - quite , Texas, and Terry Hobbs from Neosho, Missouri , each endeavor to reach the ball before the other. Outs ide of the season 's games , the Searcy Steel soccer team also held many scrimmages throughout the year to keep on top of their abilities. - photo by Ron Pacheco. Soccer 117
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