(October 22, 2023) Mena, Arkansas - In what has been a tough season for the Bucks, the men concluded their season on Sunday afternoon with no chances for postseason play. The men hosted Connors State College for Sophomore Day at Tapley Park. The Bucks honored a pair of sophomores: Josh Mitchell (Stonehouse, Scotland) and Gabriel De la Barra (Santiago, Chile). 

 

Connors State scored a goal in each half with 2 simple shots that was their only scoring opportunities in the game. UARM easily kept Connors at arms length for the whole game, only allowing 2 shots on goal.  Unfortunately, both of these shots found the back of the net. UARM created 2 or 3 good scoring chances for themselves in each half but could not score. The best of these goal chances came in the second half when Mohamed Sadiki's (Casablanca, Morroco) header was cleared off the line. UARM had 5 or 6 easy chances to score in the game but could not finish any of them. Goal scoring has been a problem for the Bucks all season, and unfortunately, the last game of the season was no different. UARM dominated most of the game but couldn't turn that domination into goals and were sucker punched in each half to lose the game 2-0.

 

After the match, Coach Kevin Sherry stated, "In golf they say 'driving for show, putting for dough (money).' In soccer, it is all about finishing your chances. The score sheet shows which team scored the goals and says nothing about how each team played. Today, we were a perfect example of this. We should have scored 4 or 5 and to be honest Connors should not have scored the two chances they had, but this is the situation we find ourselves in. The squad we inherited has been the most unbalanced I have ever coached, with a lack of players able to play in certain positions and so many who can only play in one position on the field. The results have reflected the situation we found ourselves in, but I think special mention must be given to Jack McKeith-Low (Perth, United Kingdom), Konrad Maciejak (Armadale, Scotland), and Lucas Cardoso (Jacarei, Brazil) who have gave everything for the cause today and all season. These three especially are always prepared to give of themselves for the betterment of others, and it is these players who we will use as the example to follow as we recruit for next season."

 

The men finished the season with a 1-12-2 overall record.