2015-16 A Silver-Medal Season for Men's Soccer
The 2015-16 season was the Tommies' most successful campaign in recent memory, as the squad came one goal short of claiming the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association men's soccer championship.
After defeating the Mount Saint Vincent Mystics 1-0 in a hard-fought semi, the Tommies faced the first-place Holland College Hurricanes in the final. The game was knotted at 1-1 for most of the game until ACAA Player of the Year Ibrahima Sanoh netted the deciding goal with less than one minute to go.
This was the first time in eight years the Tommies made it to the ACAA final, which head coach John-Ryan Morrison attributes to the team's hard work this season.
"We're a team that came in with only five returning players and a wide range of playing backgrounds and experience. The coaches rewarded those who worked hardest in training with starting spots to create a competitive training environment," he said.
"I was happy for the senior and graduating players to experience their first playoff with the Tommies. It really was the players who achieved the results."
The team began the season with a 0-2-1 record but found their rhythm midway through the season, resulting in a five-game win streak and their first berth to the playoffs in four years.
Morrison said part of that success came from the team's depth.
"The reason we were so successful is because we didn't rely on any one player throughout the season. When people were hurt or suspended, different people stepped up."
Looking forward to next season, Morrison plans to build on this year's success to change the culture of the men's soccer program. That begins this winter in the form of a training program.
"For the first time in a number of years the team will have a winter training program that starts in two weeks," he said.
"We also want to bring in at least ten new recruits to push Holland for the title. We want players who have experience winning, who have good grades, and most importantly who want to learn to play soccer 'the right way.'"
ACAA Award-Winners:
First team all-stars – Robert LeBlanc and Klinton Doucette
Second team all-stars – Eric Prior and Brad Johnston
Individual Team Award Winners
Rookie of the Year: Eric Prior
Unsung Hero: Bradley Johnston
MVP: Robert Leblanc