The Hillsdale College men’s club soccer team has clinched a playoff berth for the first time in its existence. The team finished the regular season with a 5-3-2 record in the College Club League (CCL) which propelled them to a tie for second place in the league with the University of Michigan’s club team and gave them a chance to win the CCL Cup.
After just missing the playoffs last season, the young team came back with a desire to improve and take their game to the next level. The 23-member squad returned almost every player from last year. Lead by head coach Andrew Hill for the second year, the team has put themselves on the map in the CCL.
“The main difference between this year and last year is the level of commitment and the belief of the players,” Hill said. “There were times last year where the games would get tense and we didn’t have that belief. We have come a long way mentally.”
Nothing showed their new belief more than when they knocked off last year’s champion, the University of Michigan, on Oct. 19.
Hillsdale beat the Wolverines 1-0 on a penalty kick by junior Christian Gajor. This final win ensured their CCL Cup berth.
“Beating University of Michigan last week and earning a spot in the playoffs was the best moment of the season,” senior right defender Michael Koziara said. “It’s our second year in the league so we knew what we were getting ourselves into. The passion we have this year has increased to another level.”
Being able to compete in the CCL Cup in Farmington Hills, Michigan was always the goal for the the Chargers.
“It was our goal to make it to the playoffs this year. We are exactly where we want to be at at this time of the year,” Gajor said.
The team is focusing on the playoff games ahead of them that will close their season.
The Chargers will only be graduating three seniors and will have a good core to continue their success in the future.
“The level of individual and collective growth is what I am most proud of. They’re all very intelligent players,” Hill said.
It will be exciting to see how the team does in the playoffs this year, and next year when they will be more experienced in the CCL.
The team’s first playoff game is this Saturday at Founders Sports Park in Farmington Hills.
