Frogs’ postseason dreams face a wake-up call soon
By Jay Zuckerman
Skiff Staff

Time could be running out for the men’s soccer team, which needs to win three of their next four matches to qualify for the Conference USA Tournament.

The challenge begins with a 3 p.m. Wednesday match at Garvey-Rosenthal Stadium against the Saint Louis Billikens (9-3-1, 4-2 C-USA).

Scoring chances will be at a premium for the Frogs (3-11, 2-4 C-USA), who have only scored 11 goals in 14 games this season. The Billikens have one of the best defensive units in C-USA, having allowed just 11 goals in 13 games.

“We don’t score many goals,” senior forward and leading scorer Michael Blackburn said, “so we need to limit our mistakes and hopefully give ourselves a chance to win a close game.”

Containing senior forward Jason Cole, the second leading scorer in Conference USA, will be a difficult task for the Frogs. He has nine goals on the year, two less than the entire Frogs team.

Coach Blake Amos said that senior midfielder Carrington Brown and sophomore defender Joe Fields will pressure him the entire game.

Amos does not believe the team needs to panic, even though a loss would hurt the Frogs tournament chances.

“Everyone knows the urgency, but we can’t talk about it,” Amos said. “You can’t prepare with your back against the wall.”

An upset victory against Saint Louis (No. 14, National Soccer Coaches Association of America) would benefit the Frogs in their quest to get back into the C-USA race.

“The happiness of actually winning a game is good for the team,” Amos said. “It is good for the players. It makes them train harder and believe they can still do something here.”

Senior goalie Michael Lahoud agreed.

“Every win gives us a little bit more confidence for the next game,” he said.