Trevor Sutton, Campus Carrier Staff Reporter
After being down by three goals, the Vikings battled back against the Centre College Colonels, only to have the win slip away in the final two minutes, resulting in a 12-10 loss.
The Vikings had a slow start after an errant ball hit head coach Curtis Gilbert during warm-ups. He had to be transported to the hospital and did not return to the sidelines. Assistant coach Travis Glennon became acting head coach while Gilbert was recovering.
Junior attacker Max Smerka said that this affected the teams focus resulting in the slow start.
“We didn’t play very well; we were not as focused as we should have been,” Smerka said. “When Gilbert had a chance to watch the game footage, he said it was one of the worst games he had ever seen this team play.”
“The team looked incredibly sloppy, undisciplined and unfocused,” Gilbert said.
A goal in the final minute of the first quarter by senior midfielder Bryan Byers helped the Vikings gain momentum.
“The seniors really stepped up as leaders and got us back into the game,” senior midfielder Cal Supik said. “The first goal by [Byers] was huge.”
The Vikings battled back as Byers led the way with five goals with the help of junior attacker, Corey Hall who had three goals.
With six minutes left in the game, the Vikings were up by one goal. Centre’s senior attacker Peter Murphy tied the game with five minutes left. The Vikings gave up a quick goal, and their last effort was stopped by two penalties giving Centre a man up opportunity resulting in the 12-10 loss.
Junior midfielder Grant Phillips and sophomore midfielder Christian Akers both scored goals for the Vikings. Akers had two assists, while Hall and attack Kyle Lombardi both had one assist. Senior goalkeeper Jordan Boreman saved 12 shots but allowed 12 goals.
The Vikings’ next game is Friday at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. at 7 p.m.
Gilbert said he will not be traveling this weekend as he will be having surgery on Friday due to the injury sustained during the game against Centre. He said he hopes to be back on the sideline coaching later next week when the team travels to Sewanee: The University of the South on Saturday, April 5.