As often happens in transition seasons, the 2015 Clark College men’s soccer team had some ups and some downs.
Goals were hard to come by at times, and the Penguins had to adjust to the approach of new head coach Brett Jacobs. But that didn’t keep Clark from winning another South Region title.
At noon on Saturday, the Penguins (9-5-2 overall) will try to take another step forward when they host Tacoma in the NWAC quarterfinals. The match will be played at McKenzie Stadium. The winner advances to the NWAC semifinals next weekend in Tukwila. Tacoma (12-3-4 overall) finished second in the West Region and won a first-round game on Wednesday.
Jacobs took over a program that was a playoff regular under Biniam Afenegus, who left to start the soccer program at Southern Oregon University. Jacobs — who is also the technical director for Washington Timbers youth soccer club in Vancouver — credits the nearly 30 players who have committed themselves to the program this season.
“The players have been so genuine in their approach to training,” Jacobs said. “I’ve got to be honest. All 30 guys are early to training with their boots on and ready to rock and roll.”
Jacobs, who has been an assistant coach in Major League Soccer and has coached at four-year colleges, said the commitment level of these players is better than he’s seen from players at larger college programs.
That buy-in has been important because Clark isn’t the biggest or strongest team in the NWAC.
Jacobs believes solid defensive structure is the foundation of a successful soccer team, and credits the play of his defenders and goalkeepers for giving these Penguins a playoff shot. The nine shutouts were at least as influential in getting them to the playoffs as the 29 goals they scored in 16 games.
“The defenders and goalkeepers have been outstanding,” Jacobs said.
Even with center backs Alec Lohr and Shea Akau and right back Evan Andrews injured, Jacobs said he is confident in his team because every player on the roster has seen the field and contributed this season. Most of the players are from the greater Portland area. Freshman goalkeeper Brendan Shaw, a Prairie graduate, is the only Clark County native on the team.
“We have got to play good soccer,” Jacobs said. “I think they have a good understanding about not overplaying” and taking unnecessary risks.
Clark has had 14 players score a goal. But only one of them, freshman Justin Linn from Gresham, has more than three. And three of Linn’s six goals were scored in the same game.
“The hardest thing to do in any game is scoring goals,” Jacobs said.
Clark women at Starfire — After winning a first-round playoff match on Wednesday, the Clark women’s soccer team will face Highline at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Starfire Complex in Tukwila. The winner advances to next weekend’s final four.
