Men’s Soccer Team Beats Nation’s Top Squad In First Game In Nearly 35 Years
Thursday was a full circle moment for Michael Hitchcock.
In 1979, Hitchcock helped Miami Dade College’s men’s soccer program secure a national title. Four years later, the team captured a second championship.
But despite that success, the squad was dismantled in 1990—a move Hitchcock called “heartbreaking.”
Nearly 35-years later, with Hitchcock in attendance, MDC welcomed its soccer program back and the Sharks did not disappoint, defeating the nation’s top-ranked team, Monroe College, 1-0 at Kendall Campus.
“It’s awesome to see [the program] come back,” the 64-year-old said.
Sporting white uniforms with gray sleeves and blue pinstripes on the side, the Sharks and their goalkeeper Samuel Cavo, withstood an array of scoring attempts by the Mustangs in the final 10 minutes—including their best shot at the 86th minute mark—to defeat Monroe College, who has won back-to-back national titles.
“I scored the first goal in 35 years for MDC,” said Edoardo Duchini. “Two days ago, I wished to score a goal here, so when I [did], it was a fantastic moment.”
The game was held in front of more than 300 spectators on the auxiliary field at Kendall Campus because the school’s $5 million sports stadium, which has been under construction since March, has faced delays.
Because it has rained so much in Florida, the delivery of the field’s turf was postponed until gameday. The field’s water pump also has not arrived.
Senior Director of Campus Administration Cristina Mateo said the field, which was originally scheduled to be ready by August, will be completed by October.
Prior to kickoff, a tailgate was held next to the grassy area near the school’s basketball gymnasium. Members of Kendall Campus’ Student Government Association handed out hamburgers and hot dogs grilled by Campus President Bryan Stewart.
Administrators, faculty, staff and athletes from the College’s volleyball, baseball, softball and basketball programs attended the event.
“We’re a team. Even though they are soccer [players], we are Miami Dade College athletes; we are one body and we need to support each other,” said head volleyball coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit, who hours earlier saw his team defeat 4th ranked Salt Lake Community College 3-0 in their season opener in Boca Raton.
The starting lineup featured: goalkeeper Samuel Cavo; defenders Agustin Sinelli, Jeremy Levivier, Agustin Bezara, Facundo Ochoa, Jesus Colazo and Guilherme Soares Martins; midfielders Kyle Reid, Eduardo Cornejo and sophomore Gabriel Obletter; and forward Alejandro Cumplido.
Throughout the game, they were serenaded by fans with “let’s go Sharks” chants.
At halftime, Athletic Director Mike Balado and College President Madeline Pumariega honored players from the 1979 national championship team. Each player received a white dri-fit polo shirt featuring the MDC Sharks’ logo.
“Tonight’s a legacy night—the legacy that you all created and left for us to follow,” Pumariega said.
The Sharks’ next game is on Aug. 31 versus Hill College in Brenham, Texas. In total, the team will play 15 regular season games this year, but Thursday’s victory will be the one they will remember forever.
“We all dreamed of winning this first match,” said Sharks’ forward Alejandro Cumplido.
NOTES: In other news, the women’s soccer team—the first in the College’s 63-year history—started their season by defeating Angelina College 5-3 on Thursday in Tyler, Texas.
Staff writers Nikole Valiente and Juliet Bryant contributed to this story.
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