MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Eight years ago, the Philadelphia Eagles went to the Super Bowl, Meghan Markle married Prince Harry, and it was also the last time Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Men’s soccer team won a game. Until now.
“Perfect timing, and just was the right day and right moment,” said Aron “Buddy” Gentry, the head men’s and women’s soccer coach at MATC.
Milwaukee Area Technical College’s men’s soccer team won on Wednesday night. Which, on its own, is not particularly unusual for a sports team. The unusual part here is that the last time it happened was eight years ago.
“The curse is over. It felt good that we were the ones to break it,” said Daniel Hernandez, a sophomore who plays right center back.
The Stormers beat Harper college 2-0, ending a winless stretch that began when everyone was younger, phones looked different, and these guys were still playing soccer at recess.
“I was 10,” said Romeo Morales, a freshman who plays goalie.
The team, made up of primarily freshman and sophomores, had a 1-0 lead going into halftime.
“After that first goal, we knew to keep our heads up high just in case anything happened,” said Adrian Saldana, a freshman that plays center attacking midfielder.
MATC scored once again in the second half around the 60-minute mark.
“I will say, definitely didn’t feel like it was possible until the game was over, and that’s just when it felt surreal,” said Christian Hernandez, a sophomore and captain.
For the players, it was a chance to make history.
“It’s crazy to think about, but it feels good to be out here now and make history for the team,” said Morales.
For their coach, it was a nice change of pace.
“Dunked me with a big Gatorade jug of water, which was refreshing at the moment but also very cold,” said Gentry.
One win, of course, doesn’t erase years of waiting and hard work, but it does mean MATC no longer has to explain when the last win happened.
The answer is now, which is so much easier to say.
“We’re hoping to build on it. We don’t want to stop here,” said Gentry.
MATC plays in Illinois next Saturday.