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It was another amazing season for the Mercer County College men’s soccer team as it played for the national title.
One of the most heralded programs in all of soccer, with seven national championships, the 2024 Vikings entered the national tournament this season on a 14-game winning streak and were playing their best soccer of the season heading to the event in Huntsville, Alabama.
“We left early and we were well rested when we got there,’’ said Mercer coach Widmarc Dalce. “We trained and we were prepared to start the competition. It was an exciting time and everyone was looking forward to it. We felt we deserved to be there.’’
This might be the time of the year for gifting, but the Vikings were a team this season that earned all the accolades and the berth in the national championship tournament.
Mercer, the No. 9 seed, opened the tournament with 3-2 overtime win over No. 4 Phoenix College, with Adrian Garcia Franco scoring the golden goal.
Then it was on to the quarterfinals against top-seeded Northeast C.C.
Throughout the season, Mercer had been a team that handled all the pitfalls along the way whether it be injuries, personnel issues or just an individual slump and came through it more determined.
“It was a team that everyone wanted to be a part of the process and everyone stayed positive and wanted to be a part of it,’’ said Dalce. “Everyone worked to support one another. Even with the coaching staff we were all working together and we were always prepared for every situation and it was a good example for the kids.’’
The kids responded against Northeast with an early one-goal lead, but a few tough calls saw Northeast rally for a 2-1 overtime win, ending the Vikings’ season just short of a spot in the semifinals,
Northeast was the eventual national champion.
“We were confident going to tournament with the idea of winning it,’’ stated Dalce. “We knew if we win that game we could’ve won the national championship. The soccer gods were not with us. We are very proud of the season, but we wanted more.’’
Mercer finished the season with a 18-3-1 record, along with winning the Region 19 Tournament and the Northeast District tourney.
Recently, Joao Delgado, who had seven goals and three assists, was named a second team All-America.
Deniz Karcher, who Dalce stated scored many important goals for the Vikings, had eight goals and six assists.
Franco, who scored the game winner in the National Tournament opener, led Mercer with 11 goals and five assists for 27 points. Francesco Quintavilla had a team high 10 assists.
Despite losing 14 players to graduation, the Vikings will return 17, plus some talented newcomers.
“We had a lot of depth,’’ Dalce said. “We were very comfortable to easily put someone in any position. We are already looking to next year.’’
Mercer has some unfinished business.
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