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Last Tuesday the men’s soccer team faced off against an old foe, the Coast Guard Academy. In the end, the Cardinals left Coast Guard victorious with a 1-0 win.

The game represented a pivotal point in the season considering the team was 3-3 entering the contest and a game away from a stretch of five NESCAC games. 

"One of the serious hurdles this season has been advancing past .500," commented Captain Avi Stopper ’01. "We seem to win a game and lose a game. We need to put together a winning streak and assert ourselves this season." 

The Coast Guard, a typical military team, was extremely fit and hoped to use its physical strength to wear down the Wesleyan squad. 

"They are a fit bunch. They play hard and run hard," said Head Coach Wheeler. "They bring a lot of kids on and off the field all game." Thus far in the season Coast Guard’s strategy of defeating teams through superior fitness has not worked. The Coast Guard is 0-5 this season and has lost each of those games by one goal. 

The Cardinals, led by the inspired play of RT Treveloni ’02, played well on offense. The Cardinals also were able to fend off the Coast Guard’s offensive attacks down the stretch of the game. 

"Yeah, they attempted to kick it over our heads in order to create a counter attack goal, but our back defenders held strong," said Captain Tim MacGregor ’01. 

One of the many story lines in the game involved the two Sept. 3 Cardinal characters, Emilio Parker ’02 and Treveloni, who recently were emotionally shaken by a vicious Wespeak article which targeted them as "cancerous sores" on the face of Wesleyan’s campus. The accusatory article was a source of motivation for both players. 

"I personally just took all that hate and tried to create something beautiful on the soccer field," Treveloni said. 

Parker, who took most of the criticism in the article, spoke with similar passion.

"I am dedicating every game from here on out to Paul Depalo," Parker said. "I am sure he is a good guy and hopefully my love will put out the fiery hate that burns inside of him." 

Another story line in the game included goalie Yanig Luthra ’02, who made his first start at goalie. 

"The Coast Guard had quite a few shots, but Yanig made his first collegiate start and had a shut out," Wheeler offered. 

As always, it was senior leadership that helped Wesleyan pull this tough game out. 

"Anytime I feel tired or am getting beat, I just look at Pat Reid [’01] or Mark Penrod [’01] and know that if they are giving it their all then I have to give it my all," said frosh Rick Ferri. "They are a blessing in disguise." 

Reid credited most of the team’s success to MacGregor and Stopper. 

"Those gentlemen out there played exceptionally well. Avi and Timmy are by far the glue that keeps this team together," Reid said. "I am naming my first two children Avi and Timmy regardless of gender."

The Cards now enter the make or break part of their season as they face Colby College away on Saturday. The game marks the first in five consecutive NESCAC games that will test the team mentally and physically.