Yellow Jackets Suffer Seventh One-Goal Loss
The Waynesburg University men’s soccer team finished off the 2016 season with a matchup against the Westminster College Titans Saturday, Oct. 29.
Waynesburg was unable to win, falling to the Titans by a final score of 1-0.
The lone goal was scored in the 36th minute by Westminster sophomore Shane Fallen, directly off an assist from junior Zack Walters, and was deflected off the goalie into the goal.
“It was a very hard-fought, close game,” said senior defensemen Josh Hennigh. “It wasn’t the result we wanted, and we should’ve been able to pull out a win.”
Despite the loss, future returners of the Yellow Jacket men’s soccer team look to next season with confidence.
“This game wasn’t just about being the end of the season,” said sophomore goalkeeper James Snyder. “This marked not only the end of a good season, but it marked improvement.”
Waynesburg ends the year at 4-12-1, with its Presidents’ Athletic Conference record closing at 2-5-1. Seven of the Yellow Jackets’ 12 losses came by a difference of just one goal.
“We were very close this year,” said head coach Brad Heethuis. “Our record might not show it specifically, but we competed in every game and had a chance to get the win, which is what you want.”
This was the last game for Yellow Jacket seniors Josh Hennigh, Joey Buchanan, Zack Benedict and Chad Palucka. Some underclassmen on the Yellow Jacket team felt obligated to send them off with one last memorable match.
“We just wanted to have one last game with the seniors, who were very influential,” said Snyder. “We were more focused on enjoying that last game with the seniors than anything.”
Josh Hennigh reflected on his career as a Yellow Jacket after the loss to Westminster.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” said Hennigh. “We went to playoffs my sophomore year, won [only one game] the next year, and this year we won a few. Despite everything, these guys are family now.”
Hennigh caps his career off with seven goals and has played in 65 games, starting in 54 of the 65.
Looking back on the Yellow Jackets’ season, overall team development is seen as a positive by coaches and players alike.
“We had a lot of development as a team,” said Snyder. “We got our freshman involved, along with guys off of the bench.”
“We got a lot of young guys minutes,” said Heethuis. “We made strides defensively and surrendered close to 40 fewer goals than last year.”
The Jackets enter next season graduating just four seniors of 25 total players from the 2016 team with 21 players returning.
“With the large amount of guys coming back, coupled with the addition of another strong freshman class, I’m optimistic moving into next season,” said Heethuis. “We are already counting down the days until we get back in Wiley Stadium.”